Happy Sunday! We hope that all our parents’ first days of school went great:) It’s that “let’s get reorganized” part of the year, which we actually secretly love. Hope you all are still enjoying the sun and are ready for some great links! Here we go:

This week’s home tour is actually just an incredibly charming MCM kitchen. The home was originally designed in 1950 by Anatol Kagan, so it was important to the homeowners and the designer to honor its history and footprint. You have to see the cabinet fronts, which were inspired by the originals, and the beautiful mix of pattern and materials!

From Emily: The Armchair Expert this week with Chris Young was so inspiring, I can’t stop thinking about it. He’s a man who was dealt an extremely bad hand, and through subsequent events he was given two life prison sentences for non-violent crimes during the 3 strikes and you are out program. For those of us who, at times, wish that we were harder on crime as a parent in a big city, I also wish that it wasn’t such a revolving door; it was such a great reminder of the circumstances that drive kids to join gangs and commit crimes in the first place, and an important reminder of their complete humanity. Extremely powerful and such a great listen for literally every human on earth.

Also From Emily: Well, OK Zac Posen!! The Gap’s new campaign is another fantastic feat of mixing art with advertising to get us enthralled (it worked). It’s super entertaining – both in music and choreography (I didn’t know this Malcom dude, but I do now!). Of course their sale is huge, and hoping that the pants that I wore three days in a row (the camo Leset knock-offs) are on it because it was 95 degrees out today and my legs didn’t notice because they are so airy and breathable (while having structure, not drapey linen).  I know that not everyone can get behind fast fashion and big business, but it’s fun to appreciate the artistry of these campaigns regardless.

From Mallory: If you have a dog and have ever struggled with training or just flat-out not knowing what to do…might I recommend Baxter & Bella?? It’s AN AMAZING training site – my sister used it for their adorable puppy Kiwi and recommended it to me. It’s a little over $200 for a lifetime membership, and that includes classes, courses, games/activities to do, and access to a trainer email/zoom calls so you can get your dog training questions answered whenever you need – FOR LIFE! It’s only been two weeks since we got our little Brisket, and he can already sit, lie down, come, and be gentle with his toys…I’m FLOORED (and I think we also got a smart puppy, so that helps). But highly recommend Bella & Baxter if you’re looking for some dog training!

Also From Mallory: I got marketed for this Ralph Lauren sweater and immediately got it now that I’m a golden retriever mom hahaha. Comes in so many cute colors, but I got it in the navy. What’s not to love about a dog sweater, am I right?

From Marlee: Every summer I’m so grateful for this mini cooler – I use it SO much. It’s so great for longer car rides or picnics at the park. I love a soft cooler too, but I love that I can literally just hose this one down when something leaks, or it gets dirty outside. Not to mention it’s so cute:)

From Arlyn: There is SO much content out there to read and consume; it can make your head spin. But I’ve got another one for you if you love tablesetting and beautiful things for your dining room. A friend and past coworker of mine, Katherine Shurick, is an immensely talented table stylist (yes, these exist!), and she started a company last year where people actually hire her to make their dinner parties beautiful. Well, she recently launched a Substack, and I want to promote her here as I know how much some of you readers appreciate beautiful, thoughtful things. What I love about Katherine, besides that she’s an amazing human being, is that she has great taste with a flair for the artistic. Not the usual stuff you see everywhere online already. She knows how to dig for the good stuff that’s unique, intentional, and artful. Give her a follow, why don’t you?

From Gretchen: I’ve shared this link before, but I must share it again because I really love it and use it that much. My mini portable sticker picture printer. This little gadget is so fun and is the gift that keeps on giving–literally. Baby’s 1st birthday? Check; I printed out a bunch of cute pics of baby and his parents and tossed them into the card for mom (my bestie) to either peel and stick in her scrapbook or pin to her fridge. 10-year anniversary party for my friends? Check again. I printed out a super cute picture I took of them and slapped it on a Trader Joe’s $1 card to give it a personal touch. They loved it. Dude friend’s birthday? Triple check! Bought him a bottle of whiskey and stuck a silly pic of him to the front. Instant, custom gift! These were all gifts I needed to pull together within the last week or so, and having this little printer on hand just made it so easy and fun.

From Jess: In case I haven’t said anything yet, ha, a couple of months ago I got my first brand new car, like a 2026! I was more or less forced into it because my last one decided it no longer wanted to run without LOTS of money poured into it. So after only having my new one for a week (after a two-month wait), I was off on my trip to Greece. I parked it in front of my friend’s place that was near the airport. Unfortunately, I didn’t think about sprinklers, and she forgot too (of course, not her fault!). Needless to say, after only a week of driving my new whip, WATERSPOTS were EVERYWHERE. And while I’m not a “my car must always look perfect” type of person, seeing it all spotted after only 3 weeks under my care really bummed me out. I feel I need to preface that I do not come from a car family. When there was a problem, off to the professionals it went. However, when I called to get a quote, it was $250. I’m sure if they saw it in person, it could have been less, and I could have called more places, but I told myself, “Jessica, you are a capable adult, and you will not ruin your brand new car if you try to clean it yourself”. That’s when I did some research and found The Chemical Guys. I bought this water spot gel, this speed wipe quick detailer, these applicator sponges, and microfiber towels. Y’all, once I got some confidence, it went great, and my car looks beautiful! If I can do it, so can you! The only other two things to know are: 1. Your car should be in the shade, and 2. It should be cool to the touch. So if you have water spots and don’t want to pay a lot of money, I really recommend these products.

Also From Jess: Some new friends of mine are heavily involved in helping underserved communities in Los Angeles. I was pretty blown away hearing all the ways they are truly trying to make a difference on a personal face-to-face level. Naturally, I asked if there was a way to be able to promote and support the organizations they are a part of and love…and luckily there is:) The donations made now for these organizations, NDLON (National Day Laborers Network) or NELA Food Distribution, will be used to purchase school supplies for children in need. The QR codes above go directly to those two organizations from a great event they just hosted yesterday. Next time, I’ll get the event info for any locals in enough time! Or if you’d rather purchase items from the back-to-school wishlist, here’s that link! So if any of you are able to give a little, it would make such an important impact for these kids. Thank you!!

From Caitlin: Just because everyone around me seems to be throwing their back out lately: this is the best heating pad on the market, bar none. I know, I know – the price tag is bananas, but I swear that it’s worth every penny. It delivers heat DEEP into your muscles and tissue (and it’s actually designed so you can lay on it safely, unlike the cheap ones from Walgreens and CVS), plus it offers incredible temperature and time control. You can trust my opinion here, because I have multilevel degenerative disc disease, 3 totally desiccated discs, 3 bulging discs, retrolisthesis, bursitis, arthrosis, a once-broken L4 and L5…and, well, that isn’t even everything wrong with my lumbar spine, but the point is that I have tried nearly every heating pad and THIS ONE WORKS! I know it’s hard to believe that it’s functionally different from a normal heating pad, but it just penetrates to the source instead of just being hot on your skin, and it’s a miracle on those days where I’m stiff or achy or having a sciatica flare-up.

Also From Caitlin: BRB, crying over Ordinary Abundance. (The quote under “Memories kept” was the one that really got me weepin’. The rest of them kept the tears flowing. You’ll feel like breaking out a gratitude journal by the end. We’re so lucky!)

Thank you for this little piece of your day, and see y’all tomorrow!

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Kaitlin Green | From: Our Guest Cottage Upstairs Meeting Room Gets Its First Internet Debut (+ Great Fall Dining Room Ideas)

Last week we did a “good non-denim pants” post (you had two clear winners, these from the Gap and these from J.Crew), but we don’t want to enrage “big denim,” especially during the fall when a lot of new pants come on the market. I love good fall jeans. Some of these I already had, and then I tried a few new pairs that I thought were specifically good. If you are in the market for jeans right now, keep reading.

Fall Jeans: The Best And Most Affordable

Left Outfit: Sweater + Bandana + Jeans + Boots + Purse | Right Outfit: Zip Up Sweatshirt | Jeans | Slides | Necklace

These are the Quince Bella Stretch Wide Leg Jeans in washed black, and for $50 they are unbelievable. I wear these all the time, year-round. These are the pants that I reach for when I want to look kinda pulled together but dress really simply. Since they have stretch, they are super comfortable (even being relatively high-rise), and the length is great for most of my flats or low boots. I will say that I have these in the blue denim color:) I know you’ve seen them before, but they are so good that I figured they were worth talking about again. If you are in between sizes, size down. I’m wearing a 26 here.

Fall Jeans: New Madewell Barrel In A Vintage Wash

Top | Necklace | Jeans | Shoes

These are very similar to the darted barrel by Madewell, without the darts and in an extremely good vintage wash. The stitching and the fading are perfect and typically done better on really expensive brands (like R19 and Moussy), so I was super impressed with them. They are mid-rise but really flattering (more rigid up top and sit nicely on the hips and don’t cut in too much or bulge out). The rugby sweatshirt is from American Eagle and comes in a lot of colors (and I’ve been living it in at night).

Fall Jeans: Something Cool

Sweater | Necklace | Jeans (similar) | Sandals

I thought these were cool in the whole denim patchwork trend (I think these are probably a wee bit small for me now that I see them here). They are wide-leg but still fitted in the hips, which I find more flattering. Easy to dress up with a blazer and boots. I’m wearing them with an alpaca cardigan that is so soft (and thin, so it’s great to wear as a top, not layered over a shirt).

UPDATE: The patchwork version is no longer on their site, but these are the same cut!

Fall Jeans: My Perfect Low-Rise Jean

Sweater | Necklace | Jeans | Belt | Shoes

Now, these jeans I saw on a salesperson at Nordstrom’s (in blue denim), and I bee-lined over to ask her where they were from. They are the Tennessee boyfriend jean from Free People, and they are SO GOOD. They come in lots of colors but keep selling out. Low-waisted, super flattering in the butt, straight-legged on the slightly long but not too long side. They give the wide-leg Bellas a run for their money, but these are more low-waisted so fit me better (and are priced much higher, BTW). Also that Mongolian cashmere crewneck is so good, and I find that I pack it for many trips because it’s oversized and layers over easily but isn’t long (and thin enough you can still 1/2 tuck). So soft. 10/10.

Fall Jeans: Mama’s First JORTS

Top | Necklace | Jorts | Belt | Sandals

My 12-year-old gave me real side eye on this one; I fear he thinks I’m copping his style. Listen, these are everywhere, and I might be too old for them, but I wore this outfit out the night after the shoot to a dinner with friends, and I didn’t feel like a mid-40s suburban mom (I felt like I was Cosplaying Gen Z, but maybe that’s fun??). These aren’t too much of an investment since they are just from the Gap. I don’t think jorts are for everyone, but I don’t think they are going away any time soon, so if you want in on it, these are a good pair.

Fall Jean: A Cute Flare

Sweater | Necklace | Jeans | Sandals

The Hustler. Now these have such a fun flair but are cropped, so that might not be everyone’s jam. While my favorite jeans of the year are the Kick It High Waisted Mother Jeans for everyday wear, these were a bit too stretchy for me up top (I want more structure around the waist), but before I returned them, I figured they might be someone’s cup of tea. Same classic cashmere crew.

Fall Jeans: The “Butt-Flattering” Jean

Sweater | Necklace | Jeans | Boots

Ok, finally a pair of clean denim that is really flattering in the butt. Rag & Bone ain’t cheap, but for a super classic, clean, straight, high-quality denim with a lot of structure, these are great.

Fall Jeans: The Viral Jeans I Actually Love

Top | Jeans | Shoes

These are the viral Mother Jeans that are so popular. Comfortable, goes with everything. Dress em up or down (the length hits right above sneaker height for me, which is perfect). I wish there was an affordable dupe, but not yet. Happy almost-pant season folks

*Photos by Kaitlin Green

Emily has been staring at two fabric swatches for the better part of a month now. A blue linen and a bold modern floral, both for the same sofa, both driving her a little crazy in the best way. It’s a small decision that’s actually a pretty good stand-in for something bigger: modern traditional homes are having a bit of a rebirth right now, and the whole reason is color.

Before 2020, if you’d asked us to define modern traditional, we’d have said: traditional shapes with clean, non-ornate lines, light neutral tones, hits of black, and a heavy dose of natural materials. That’s all still true in 2026—but the style has loosened up since, and color is the biggest reason why. Color drenching, richer materials, a little more detail, and modern takes on old-school pattern have all found their way back in. It’s been all over our feed lately, and one familiar friend of the brand has made it their mission to help us bring that luxe-but-refined look into our homes: Sixpenny.

I remember the first Sixpenny chair and a half Emily got, back in 2017. Aside from how pretty it was, I remember how she couldn’t stop talking about the comfort—she actually went to Sixpenny’s distribution center and sat on a bunch of their pieces herself. Comfort is not something Ms. Henderson compromises on. Their quality was never the question. What’s exciting now is that Sixpenny’s designs and fabrics have only gotten better, especially when it comes to color—which brings us back to those two swatches. Here’s how we’d think through building a modern traditional room that feels fresh, not frozen in time, broken into three parts: shape, color, and slipcovers.

Modern Traditional Home: Streamlined Takes On Classic Shapes

Shape is the foundation everything else gets built on. It’s rarely where people get stuck… Color is, but it’s worth getting right first.

Amelia Bed

The Amelia Bed is the easiest way to make a room read modern traditional. We love an arch, we love a simple rectangle, but this shape manages to feel special without feeling like too much. Shown here in a rich brown washed cotton velvet, though it also comes in linen canvas and faux fur—a range that covers most modern traditional moods. It’s styled here against a tonal wall, but it would look just as beautiful against warm white walls with wood and iron accents.

Yogi Curve Sectional

The Yogi Curve Sectional has minimal detailing—piped seams, a wood base—pretty, never loud. That’s the thing to look for in modern traditional furniture right now: detailing that adds rather than distracts, so what you register is a feeling, not a design element. It’s also a genuine shapeshifter—reupholstered, this sectional could work with nearly any style.

Neva Round Swivel Chair

The Neva Round Swivel Chair is the round version of that very first chair and a half Emily got from Sixpenny back in 2017. We’ve all seen traditional barrel chairs in traditional homes; this oversized, round take, with its bold seam in the right fabric and color, is what pushes it fully into modern traditional territory.

Tango Chair

A key part of a modern traditional home that feels fresh: not everything in it should be modern traditional. Give it one or two pieces that lean more contemporary, like the Tango Chair – its sharp, angular frame is a deliberate departure from the soft curves around it, and that contrast is part of what keeps a room from feeling like a period piece.

Now that the foundation is covered, we actually love talking about…Emily staring at swatches for a month.

Modern Traditional Home: Rich Colors, Fabrics, And Modern “Old” Patterns

Color is the whole reason modern traditional feels different in 2026 than it did five years ago, and no piece makes that argument better than the one Emily can’t stop thinking about.

Dalia Sofa

Here’s the sofa at the center of Emily’s whole dilemma. She talked about the Dalia Sofa in her modern traditional sofa post already; I mean, look at that pleated skirt. It’s the fabric choice that’s been the hard part: a blue linen blend called Garden Berry, or a bold modern floral called Wild Air. Sixpenny’s Dalia Sofa also comes in their Bing Cherry Washed Cotton Velvet, which is where this whole color conversation started for her. The cherry brings richness and depth. The blue linen brings something organic and calm. The floral brings play and a different kind of sophistication. Same sofa, three completely different rooms. It’s a pretty good argument for building a modern traditional home around color.

If you’re on the fence the way Emily has been, it’s worth ordering a few fabric swatches before you decide. Colors can read differently in your own light than they do on a screen, and Sixpenny sends up to 12 of them free.

Committing to a color this bold would feel a lot riskier if it were actually permanent. It isn’t…come see why!

Modern Traditional Home: Slipcovers Built For Changing Your Mind

Here’s that same Dalia Sofa in Wild Air—just as beautiful as the cherry, entirely different mood. That’s the actual answer to Emily’s monthslong indecision, if we’re honest: Sixpenny’s seating is all slipcovered, so she doesn’t have to choose. Blue linen for now, floral whenever the mood strikes, same sofa underneath either way.

Amelia Sectional

The blue linen blend Emily’s been considering also comes on the Amelia Sectional as well as all their other seating. It’s so soothing, right? And the same logic applies: keep the shape, swap the slipcover to a floral whenever the mood calls for it later.

Tango Chair

This chair makes the case better than almost anything else in the lineup. In Bing Cherry, it reads warm and a little daring. In deep blue against its black wood base, the same Tango Chair reads cooler, moodier, almost more modern. So again, same shape, same chair, two completely different personalities with the swap of a new slipcover,

And there’s no need for it to feel intimidating swapping out a cover because Sixpenny has a step-by-step guide to changing your slipcover that makes the whole thing look almost embarrassingly easy.

So: shape lays the foundation, color makes the decision, and a slipcover means that decision never has to be final. Put those three together, and you’ve got a modern traditional home style that can evolve for years without a single new piece of furniture. If that’s something you want too, we can’t recommend Sixpenny enough. Beautiful, timeless, and we can personally confirm, extremely comfortable.

*Thank you to Sixpenny for partnering with us on this blog post.

*Photos Courtesy of Sixpenny

The upstairs meeting room has its first big debut on the internet, which is a lot of pressure for a lady so old and sweet. But with the help of some solid modern furniture and decor, it went from just being old and sweet to being such a pulled-together, cool dining room. With fall around the corner, and – dare I speak the words so soon – the holidays right around that corner, we set it up for a dinner party with casual and elevated fall vibes. If you are readying your house for hosting family, dinner parties, and wanting cozy vibes, today is for you. Get ready for some pretty beautiful fall dining room ideas.

Once we got all the furniture in here, the room just came alive. The deeper tones of the walnut furniture and the creamy oatmeal upholstery were all part of the plan, but it wasn’t til it was all in there that we congratulated ourselves. It looked so good.

Chandelier | Dining Table | Upholstered Dining Chairs | Side Dining Chairs | Rattan Planter

We leaned into fall colors with the darker reds (remember those dishes from the holiday shoot last year at The Carly?). While I don’t usually gravitate so much towards dark red dinnerware, I swear this set has so much power and the shapes are so simple. I used them for Christmas last year, but here you can see they can lean fall so easily too (or Thanksgiving, obviously). I think if they were red and glossy, they would be garish, but the tone is actually really soft, and the finish is muted so it balances really well.

Dining Table | Upholstered Dining Chairs | Side Dining Chairs | Table Lamp

The table is part of the Jacobsen line, which I had eyed at AllModern a lot for the river house (I love the coffee table version), so I was excited to see it in person. It’s so solid, classic, streamlined, but the grain has a lot of integrity. Instead of getting 8 matching chairs, we ordered 6 dining chairs (that are really generous in size) and two upholstered end chairs.

The two cream upholstery fabrics don’t match, which we knew, but I was thrilled to see that they looked really great together. Same with the wood tones – that’s always a bit scary. But once we got it all together, the lack of matching really helped it feel more homey and natural.

The head chairs have wheels and are really comfortable. So are the chairs – they have a generous surface space for your bum and the curve of the chair really cradles your back.

Placemats | Dinnerware | Napkins | Flatware | Wine Glasses | Water Glasses | Candlesticks (similar) | Candlestick Holders | Vase

In this room, all the pinks, mustards, reds, and woods just look so warm and inviting. We were all so delighted with how it came together.

Now this isn’t necessarily the reveal of this room. My job isn’t typical, and we often need to transform rooms into a set to feature furniture and decor, so we try to integrate it into what we will obviously use long term, but this room will function more as a meeting room than a dinner party

Burgundy Fluted Vase

We ordered two credenzas to go along the back. Now technically these are media units, so they are lower, which we knew. That wall is pretty low, so we didn’t want two massive pieces.

Media Units | Wood Bowl | Glass Bubble Candle | Lamp | Striped Handled Vase

We shoved two together, and it just looked really pulled together. We don’t have a ton of storage needs up here right now. But our plan is to keep the materials that we are currently playing with for very specific projects up here while the rest of the materials and all our props remain in the prop garage. This room is more of a meeting room and a set for shoots like this. But I also wanted Gretchen and Marlee to have a place to put personal items, so we joke that these are their “lockers” and they can keep their things in here. They have shelves and holes for outlets through the back. Super high quality and beautiful, with that super simple lip on the cabinets that gives dimension and keeps it from looking too flat.

We propped it with a lot of AllModern pieces to feature in the shoot (technically they only sponsored a reel but we loved everything so much that we wanted to shoot and post it here, obviously).

Art (vintage) | Mirror (vintage)

Shout out to my bentwood vintage mirror and that gorgeous still-life oil painting that I’ve been hoarding for a while. It finally got its debut

The first shoot in the guest house is in the books. It was so fun and easy, and we are really excited to start meeting up here and see how this room continues to transform. We love all this dining furniture so much, and we figure in the next few months we’ll work up here when we are together and see how the function of the room shifts as we furnish and decorate the landing and downstairs. More to come, and a huge thanks to AllModern for being a fantastic resource and partner. xx

*Photos by Kaitlin Green

You know how the Internet used to be a place? Like, you had your big, clunky, taupe desktop. You had a dedicated computer nook (or, if you were lucky, a whole computer room). You’d saddle up in your swivel chair, you’d spend 30 seconds listening to a cacophonous series of beeps and screeches, you’d do your browsing, you’d log off, and life would just…go on. 

But then the smartphone was invented, Instagram was released, and the internet morphed from a place into a weird, 24/7 version of show-and-tell. (It’s about time someone writes a long think piece on this, right? I KID, I KID.)  And I know that this all seems like a uniquely modern ailment – the need to perform for others in hopes of being liked, literally – but it turns out that humans are humans and we’ve been trying to flex for our friends and neighbors for centuries, with or without internet. So today, I have to introduce you to the 16th-century version of Instagram: the Wunderkammer. (Yeah, I did learn something new recently, and yeah, now I’m going to make it everyone’s problem.)

Here’s the gist: a wunderkammer directly translates to “wonder room” or “wonder chamber.” They were the 1500s version of flexing on Instagram – beautifully-decorated rooms filled with physical evidence that the owner was rich, worldly, and cultured. Before search engines, global shipping, and factual accuracy, wunderkammers pre-dated museums and served as places where people went to learn about a rapidly expanding world. (Or if you just wanted to stare at, like, a taxidermied crocodile, you’d do that in here, too.) They were part science lab, part art gallery, part status symbol, and part late-night conversation starter. (I mean, what else are you talking about in the 1500s? Horses? Shipping routes? Might as well look at some coral, or a book, or something novel.) 

Maximalist, Structured Chaos

But there were RULES for designing your wunderkammer, you guys. (Rule one: be a man. Rule two: be a rich merchant, noble, or scholar. Rule three: follow the below rules.) You couldn’t just throw any old thing onto a shelf – there was a method to the madness. Was it scientific? Of course not! (Linnaeus hadn’t yet shown up to ruin everyone’s fun.) But any respectable wunderkammer did follow a series of vibe-based taxonomies:

• Naturalia (Things Created by Nature): This was the core of any good room. We’re talking preserved taxidermy, dried botanical specimens, giant clam shells, pressed leaves, and gemstones. Strangeness reigned supreme here. Who wants to see an everyday fish when they could be looking at a preserved pufferfish? (Not this girl, that’s for sure.)
• Artificialia (Things Created by Humans): This category celebrated craft, ingenuity, and patience. Think micro-carvings in cherry pits, intricate metalwork, carved ivory spheres, delicate Venetian glass…honestly, this taxonomy is pretty normal in comparison to the former and feels like the stuff we’re still tossing in our own libraries and bookshelves today. 
• Exotica (Things Brought from Far Away): In the early era of global trade and colonization, items from Asia, Africa, and the Americas were treated with mystical reverence. Aztec leatherwork, Ming porcelain, Ottoman daggers – these were the cornerstone pieces of a world-class wunderkammer. (Half the time, owners had no idea what their objects were even used for, which somehow added to the mystique and prestige.)
• Scientifica (Things Built to Understand the Universe): This section is the precursor to modern scientific tools. Astrolabes, celestial globes, hourglasses, armillary spheres, and measuring devices. This signaled to your visitors that you didn’t just hoard weird stuff – you were a man of the Enlightenment, actively measuring the heavens. (Can you guys imagine if I, like, posted a picture of all my calculators and compasses on Instagram? Would that be a flex? Would you think I’m smart and worldly?)
• Ethnographica (Things from Foreign People): It focused explicitly on the human artifacts, attire, and ceremonial objects of newly encountered global cultures. Exotica leaned decorative, but Ethnographica was more like a predecessor to cultural anthropology – collectors valued Japanese Samurai armor, Inuit kayaks, ceremonial masks from the Pacific, and the like.
• Antiquitas (Things of Classical Antiquity): This would have been my favorite to collect, I think – this category focuses on material evidence of human history and classic scholarship. Think ancient coins, Etruscan pottery fragments, medieval manuscripts, and ancestral heraldic pieces.
• Scurrilia (Things That are Silly or Weird): People 500 years ago – they’re just like us! Wunderkammers weren’t just for solemn collections – they also housed the strange, monstrous, and deliberately bizarre. Scurrilia, like “dragons” (read: carved, contorted, and dried manta rays), grotesque caricatures, and trick drinking vessels were designed to break up intellectual debate with moments of shock and laughter.
• Theologia (Things that are Sacred): Of course there’s a religious bend! (This is Renaissance Europe, after all.) Placing sacred items in your wunderkammer demonstrated that pursuit of worldly wealth was ultimately subordinate to divine order and your religious devotion. Reliquaries, vials of dried martyr blood, rosaries, crucifixes, and fragments of saintly vestments all did the trick.
• Mirabilia (or Miracula, aka The Unexplained): These items defied both natural law and human explanation. Imagine: “unicorn horns” (read: narwhal tusks), “vegetable lambs” (wooly ferns – they believed these plants grew sheep), magical amulets, and crystal gazing orbs. It sounds like a junk drawer for folklore (let’s be real – you know these rich guys were getting ripped off), but folks in the 1500s believed that these items offered tangible, physical proof of the supernatural operating in our world. 

Here’s the catch: this was NOT a museum. There was no space between objects, no glass cases, no partitions, no guards, no breathing room. On the contrary: the wunderkammer was a room for maximalists. The goal was sensory overload. These rich dudes wanted their guests to stand in the center of the room, spin around, and feel like they were adrift in the marvels of creation. 

The OG Lifestyle Influencers

Alright, alright. It’s easy to write off these rich weirdos and their treasure rooms as an experiment in eccentric hoarding, but the wunderkammer was actually a deeply social spot – think of it as the original interactive home tour. (Do any of you have a parade of homes in your neighborhood? Like that, except no one has any idea what any item in their home really is, or where it’s from, or what it was actually used for. It sounds like it would have been fun!) 

When a host invited you over to view their collection, it was a big deal (and a multi-hour performance). They’d guide you around the room, physically hand you objects, and narrate their (believed) histories. The total lack of organization and maximalism of the space was the point – it allowed conversation to jump from marine biology to classical architecture to alchemy to global trade. (Admittedly, this sounds like a normal conversation to me – do you think some undiagnosed ADHD contributed to the creation of these cabinets of curiosity?) 

A few of these fellows designed rooms so elaborate that they’ve stood the test of time, but the best-known is a guy named Ole Worm (yes, seriously – that was the Latin version of his Danish name, Olaus Wormius). He lived in the late 1500s through the mid-1600s, was a professor at the University of Copenhagen, and his wunderkammer was so extraordinary that artists travelled to make drawings and engravings of his space. Rightfully so, too – his great hall was packed to the brim with taxidermied giant tortoises, polar bear skulls, spears, kayaker paddles, suits of armor, runic inscriptions, folklore manuscripts, shells, bronzes, and hundreds of meticulously labeled drawers. After Worm passed (from the plague – an especially unfortunate fate for a professor of medicine), the King of Denmark absorbed the entire wunderkammer into the Royal Danish Collection. Many of Worm’s original specimens still reside today in the Natural History Museum of Denmark, which is pretty neat. (If you liked this story, you’ll love learning about Emperor Rudolf II’s collection.) 

The Modern Wunderkammer

Eventually, the party had to end – the Age of Enlightenment demanded order. (I mean, folks were launching new democracies and building new nations. It was no longer reasonable to be showing people your fake unicorn horn, you know?) The wunderkammer concept was dismantled, stripped of its maximalist chaos, and split into specialized institutions: naturalia went to natural history museums; artificialia to art galleries; scientifica to science centers…you get the picture.  

But I think the wunderkammer still lives on! (And not just because I’m staring at an office filled with yet-to-be-sorted clutter curiosities.) It exists on the shelves where books share space with your travel souvenirs and vintage finds; it exists in your gallery walls and in your patinated furniture; it exists any time you choose something weird for your home solely because it’ll evoke a reaction. (After years of nothing but white oak and minimalism, I’m happy to welcome some weirdness back into the fold.)

I want to bring this around to where we started: the internet, and Instagram, and performing for others, and all that jazz. In the spirit of the wunderkammer, I hereby issue you a permission slip to stop curating for the algorithm and to start prioritizing your own delight. (You’ll be joining a centuries-old tradition of storied, history-making maximalists.) Buy the little vintage brass insect! Save the cool shell you found on the beach! Hang up your strange thrift store painting that no one else likes. Fill your home with things that spark conversation, provoke questions, and keep the spirit of wonder alive. Then invite me over – I’d love to marvel at your own little creation

In case you aren’t too familiar with me, hi! I’m Jess, Emily’s editorial director, and I’ve been working at EHD for almost a decade. I say this to give you the utmost confidence that I know what makes an Emily Henderson living room, a true Emily Henderson living room. So while each home she’s lived in has had its own unique style, there are common threads through almost all of her spaces. Today we are focusing on living rooms and the 8 things that each of them generally has. The decor pieces that, if you love her style, will help guide you to creating your own interesting and collected room. She’s been designing beautiful rooms for 20+ years, so it’s safe to say these won’t steer you wrong:)

Emily Henderson Living Room Must-Have: Colorful or Architectural Sofa

Let’s start in Los Feliz, Los Angeles, in her modern Tudor home. Blue sofas are to Emily Henderson as fish are to water…they belong together. She, of course, dabbles in other colors, but blue is her heart. FYI, in an Emily Henderson living room, blue is a neutral but a fun one. A perfect gateway into getting a colorful sofa is to try blue. Both of these sofas above are in the same color family, but their tones and shapes create such different aesthetics. It’s important to make sure you have other blue moments in the room to balance, but aside from that, it’s a cool and bold choice that’s actually extremely versatile.

But as you likely know, she’s used more than just blue sofas:) Green is another favorite (again, it’s an EHD neutral) and is well within her general preferred home color palette. Those two matching green sofas add such a calming warmth to the space. I just think it creates this visual interest that’s both welcoming and elevated. Would the right gray or brown leather be pretty? Totally. But choosing a less expected color tends to be an easy way to make a living room feel cool and designed. Same goes for the pink and blue Barb sofas. They weren’t meant for this room, but Em loved them and the pop they brought to it. I mean, if there’s an Emily Henderson living room color palette, it’s usually some variation of a blue, green, and blush world.

There’s also the color drench/tonal option that she designed for our photographer, Kaitlin Green! The dark green corduroy sectional doesn’t feel visually intense because of the tonal wall color and pretty brown and wood accents.

Well, this room is unreal for a million reasons, but two of them are that blue sofa and rust loveseat. Because this room has wallpaper, painted trim, and a green dining room that’s open to it, this room needed sofas that could visually hold up. However, choosing blue for the larger sofa made sense because it complements the green rug and dining room while the rust is a perfect (and smaller) contrast. Then that rust color is peppered in with pillows, a tray, and more for balance.

Here’s where she mixes a very architectural sofa with a simpler, colorful one. Unlike the last room we just talked about, this one at the river house is much more neutral and nature-driven. Two colorful sofas could have taken a little too much attention from the other elements in the room. So choosing this larger, fun-shaped gray sofa as the larger piece and then that beautiful deep blue simpler sofa, it’s the perfect blend of neutral but not boring.

But our girl also knows how to pick a beautiful (and vintage) architectural sofa that can stand on its own too. This one from her Glendale home has such a beautiful back! This is old school “Emily Henderson Living Room”! I mean the whole room is beautiful. Since this was the more formal living room and not the cuddle up and watch TV room, it’s ok that this one isn’t the most plush. However, comfort/usability is always something you should really consider. Read Caitlin’s curved sofa warning if you want an example of that.

Ah, another beautiful vintage sofa that Emily had reupholstered. Those angles and exposed seams are extremely good. Clearly, the mountain house was meant to be very light and neutral, so a soft gray sectional made the most sense. Unfortunately, this one’s pillows would fall off all the time, so they ended up selling it, but if this had been their full-time home, potentially the cushion could have been secured. Regardless, it’s such a cool sofa.

Ok, I threw my current living room in here to show you that while our styles are different, I very much abide by the Emily Henderson living room design pillars. Cognac isn’t exactly a colorful tone like blue, green, or blush, BUT it feels like it to me, and this sofa really helped to visually balance out the brown fireplace.

Emily Henderson Living Room Must-Have: Patterned Rug

Colorful sectional? Check. Ok, now let’s talk rugs. We/Emily love a good solid rug. But what she is more often drawn to is a patterned and/textured one. It’s like art on the ground! It makes a room instantly feel interesting and can really do most of the heavy lifting pattern-wise if you don’t want to do too hard on other patterns. Take the river house family room. The bulk of the decor is textured solids. So while the right solid rug would be pretty, the playful impact that this one brings wouldn’t exist otherwise.

This is how Emily staged her Glendale living room to sell it back in 2016. It turned out so beautiful, but this version is likely more neutral than she would have gone had they still lived there. But please now turn your attention to the amazing hide, scalloped patterned rug. It’s quiet has so much movement and life! It may be white, but it’s not boring (and hide is apparently super kid- and pet-friendly).

I personally loved this rug, and it was the perfect color palette for the green sofa from Clad Home. Good large, blue Persian rugs aren’t easy to find, so this one was a gem! It didn’t end up being perfect, so she ended up returning it, but she did love it.

For her best friend Robyn’s old basement, she chose a more modern checkered rug that was an EHD staple for years. I used it in my old living room too! The style is cozy but a cool contrast to the wall-panelled PNW overall style. It keeps it fresh and a total Emily Henderson living room!

Here we have the Barbs again but with Emily’s new vintage Persian rug. It’s a beautiful mid-tone rug that also really picks up all of the colors in the room. She’s still working her magic, so stay tuned for the next iteration:)

Emily Henderson Living Room Must-Have: Art (Mixed Media, Oil, “3D”)

Finding and choosing incredible art is one of Emily’s super powers. While no medium is off limits, the three main styles are mixed media (which I wrote a whole post about recently), oil painting, and “3D”. What I mean by 3D is wall sculptures, textiles, framed ceramics, etc. The gallery above has all three and then some. The mediums are varied, but the color palette is so beautifully cohesive. Scale is so important too. Enough pieces are a medium to large size so the couple of small pieces don’t feel too bitsy.

But you don’t always have to mix mediums (at least on the same wall:))

This giant vintage flag is nearly a core memory of mine from the early days I was here. An Emily Henderson living room knows the power of a giant beautiful textile (especially when it’s vintage).

She didn’t use many oil paintings in the mountain house but brought in her Cy Twombly print, Jane Denton embroidered abstract, and those other two amazing stacked contemporary pieces by Arielle Zamora.

All vintage oil paintings mixed with vintage mirrors that are hung on brass art rods. A classic Emily Henderson living room (and dining room) feature but made even more special by this new-to-her hanging system. Collected vintage art isn’t quick (unless you’re ready to pay), but if you take your time and find the deals you can, absolutely create your own version.

No vintage here but still stunning paintings, a print, and a TV! The color palette again is so in sync, and it’s probably the best “gallery wall with a TV” I’ve ever seen. Each piece holds its own scale-wise and style. I love that she also went with all wood frames but varied the tones and the two small ones have unique (but not overly ornate) details.

Emily Henderson Living Room Must-Have: Sculptural Lamp

I feel fairly certain I can blame my complete obsession with lamps on Emily. I don’t think there’s a room, living room or not, where there hasn’t been a cool sculptural lamp. This is an Emily Henderson classic from Schoolhouse she’s had for years. It’s simple but a little playful, and that navy shape gives it that next-level style.

Other incredible lamps that were a style contrast to an Emily Henderson living room are these two. Their cool modern shapes add a burst of freshness to this traditional Tudor, and I couldn’t love them more. I believe she still has both, so I’m sure you will see them again in the future. Remember to play with shape and light direction. The white bulbous one gives off the prettiest ambient light while the black double light is clearly a task lamp:)

Of course not every lamp or wall fixture needs to be modern, but look at Emily’s traditional sconce with the modern striped ceramic beaut. Perfect tension, which is something Em’s always tries to create a little of.

In the river house, Em chose three different sizes and styles but all the same organic vibe. The little modern bulb light on the bench behind the sofa, the fabric Noguchi-style table lamp on the side table, and of course that beautiful curved floor lamp with the knife pleated shade! They add a softness to the overall “Emily Henderson Living Room.” Lamps…are truly a magical decor tool, so use them!

Emily Henderson Living Room Must-Have: Sculptural Chair

A cool sculptural armchair is an incredible addition if you have the space. It’s definitely a decor piece that nearly every Emily Henderson living room has. This vintage Safari chair was also used in their rental apartment before they bought their Glendale home, but, of course, they found a perfect spot for it. The vintage added soul, the shape added character, and the leather added texture. Win-win-win.

Both of these lived in the Portland projects living room. The green chair was the perfect traditional piece to echo the style of the home, while that incredible little wood chair was a fun and unexpected contrast. Different materials, shapes, and visual weight!

Here are two more chairs that follow that same “different materials, shapes, and visual weight”. It’s so fun, and it really makes for a very cool living room.

In the first iteration of the farmhouse, both of these chairs were modern contrasts to the farmhouse traditional style. One is vintage while the other isn’t, and they both have a heavier visual weight, but because they sit in different zones, it feels collected and not crowded.

The Baby Barb was my baby, and I love her. Her curved arms looked so good in the river house living room.

Even in a small space like my old studio apartment, I found a cool little accent chair that brought the whole room together for me. It lives in my bedroom now, but don’t think that if you have a small space doesn’t mean you can’t have a cool sculptural chair.

Emily Henderson Living Room Must-Have: Long Lumbar Sofa Pillow

This decor piece is the newest addition to the Emily Henderson living room recipe – the lumbar pillow on a sofa. We’ve sung their praises for years on beds, but they are equally as awesome on a sofa. It may seem a little impractical, but they look cool and can act as a body pillow when you’re lounging.

This Lulu and Georgia one is one of Em’s favs and has lived in her famhouse living room….

…and in the river house game room. It gives a pop of pattern and doesn’t require you to find and buy a bunch of smaller throw pillows (which we love too, so go with your preference).

Emily Henderson Living Room Must-Have: Contemporary Vase

I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that every Emily Henderson living room has at least one cool, sculptural vase. For this room, that insanely good black vase on the hearth is so striking. It grounds the room with its size and simplicity, while the pink vase adds texture and flows with a more dominant part of the color palette.

The vase in the mountain house is, well, it’s perfect. The lines are graphic, the black ceramic pops off all the white in the room, AND it can hold big ole beautiful branches. The white bubble vase in the Los Feliz house feels modern against the vintage cabinet and sculptural chair. Then as an added bonus, those turquoise ones are little but still add shape and color! It’s the classic saying “Go big or go mini..or both!”

Imagine if that white vase was half the size? It would be nice, but it wouldn’t have the impact this one does, right? This room has a lot going on in the best way, so choosing a big vase with bold lines and neutral texture was the right move. It holds its own without taking too much attention.

Two more sculptural vases that add so much to this farmhouse living room. If they were more traditional, they would be totally fine, but if you want an Emily Henderson living room, you gotta go a little more out of the box. The white one was originally from Anthro, and that blue vase on the mantel is one of my favorites from Bzippy.

Emily Henderson Living Room Must-Have: Pretty Tray

Never underestimate the power of a great tray. It’s the great corraler of things! I’d take a bet that at least 99% of the Emily Henderson living room portfolio has a tray. It’s a no-brainer. It keeps things organized and not floating around, and it adds style (if you get a cool one:)). I love that ceramic one of Em’s so much. Sadly, they don’t seem to sell it anymore:/

They also aren’t just for coffee tables but are great for credenzas too. I think this mini bar tray makes it all look so much more intentional and pretty.

Playing with materials and colors in a tray is an easy an non commital way to add more color to your space. These red marble ones each have unique shapes, which just adds another layer of design.

Another unique tray example is this awesome scalloped one I can’t stop looking at. Case in point, have fun with your trays.

But also never underestimate the power of a classic wood tray… especially if it has leather handles:)

Emily Henderson Living Room Must-Have: Vintage

Vintage is nearly a non-negotiable in a true Emily Henderson living room. That’s her roots! So vintage is perfectly sprinkled into every room and likely taken to her next home because those are her true treasures. They add a story and soul to a room. That’s not to say she doesn’t love new products; she absolutely does, but mixing in some old with the new cannot be skipped. Think of her Glendale living room without that submarine drawing?

Or the Los Felix house didn’t have that steamer trunk or piano?

Her blue cabinet from Round Top and her Cherner chair have now lived in both California and Los Angeles. The more these pieces travel, the more soul they acquire. I’m pretty sure that’s science.

I will forever swoon over that MCM cabinet she found on Facebook Marketplace. The richness and shapes of the stacked pieces make my heart smile…which is ultimately what an Emily Henderson living room does.

If you’ve been trying to design an interesting and design-forward room, think about these things and see if they can help! Everyone has their own spin, but getting some tried-and-true methods sure can’t hurt.

Love you, mean it.

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: A Quick Update: The Changes I’ve Made To My LA Living Room

There are many types of readers out there. Maybe you live in a home you own that you’ve made completely your own, either by way of building custom from the ground up, or renovating/tinkering with something preexisting until it was just right. Or maybe you own a home but don’t really feel the need to make major changes to your builder-grade fixtures, be it for budget purposes or you just aren’t bothered enough. Or the third category (the category I’m in): You’re renting and either have finicky landlords or you don’t want to spend money on a ton of reversible changes you likely won’t be bringing with you to the next place. I’m sure there are other “categories” of readers here I’m missing, as everyone’s situation is unique, but today, I’m focusing in on the second and third type.

Specifically, how to improve some basic bathroom, builder-grade fixtures without ripping them all out and replacing them. As a reminder, every single one of the bathrooms in my rental townhome looks like this:

As with many homes built in the same era as this one (2010-ish), the cabinets are cherry, the tile is beige, the counters are beige, and the hardware and builder-grade fixtures are, of course, satin nickel. On paper, I understand the appeal of this metal finish: It’s not as cool-toned or harsh as chrome, so it’s more universally complementary, and the satin or brushed finish keeps things mostly finger-proof. But yes, it’s basic. I don’t have any problems with nickel, in fact. I love polished nickel; so warm and beautiful. But the “builder-special” usually comes in just the most boring faucet silhouettes.

Take one of my guest bathrooms above, for instance. That faucet screams “I bought this from an open-box special at Home Depot for about $43.97.” It’s transitional, i.e., it has no real style. It’s not modern; it’s not traditional. It’s like the plain Cheerios of the faucet world. Does the trick, but doesn’t really taste like anything.

However, I have absolutely zero interest or intention in changing the faucets or hardware in my bathrooms. Reasons include: A. We’re saving for a house, and this isn’t an important use of funds that could otherwise be put into our investments. B. If all goes according to plan in reason A, we don’t plan on staying here very long. C. Everything works just fine, everything is made pretty well, and it would be wasteful to buy interim faucets and hardware that end up where, exactly, when we move out? There’s no telling whether they’d work in our next place. Nah. I can’t be bothered.

SO, that brings me to today’s post. Jess had the idea of giving the “builder-grade bathroom fixture finish” concept the “cherry cabinets no-reno upgrade” treatment that I cooked up years ago and did gangbusters around here. What can you do with color and mostly soft goods and accessories to work with (or distract from) a dated, not-that-exciting faucet in a bathroom of yours? Could you spend the equivalent money on the rug/shower curtain/paint/etc., that I’m recommending on, say, a new faucet you like better? Sure you could! But where would the challenge be in that? I love a “Make It Work” obstacle more than most, so I put on my thinking cap and my color cape and got to work creating color combos and moodboards for satin nickel, chrome, polished brass, and matte black.

Could anyone use these color palettes regardless of their faucet situation? I’m glad you asked! Of course you can. Does someone’s bathroom vanity, countertop, and flooring material drastically affect how these would look IRL? Probably, but you’d be surprised what you can accomplish when you have a cohesive design story across all other elements. You can always pull from the colors and textures I recommend for some temporary solutions such as peel-and-stick floors (or even a vanity upgrade if that’s in the realm of your desires and budgets).

Now, let’s start with the most ubiquitous:

Builder-Grade Fixtures Color Combo #1: Satin Nickel

• Fixture Finish: Satin/Brushed Nickel
• Color Palette to Try: Olive Green, Black & White, Warm Wood, Ivory
• Metal Mix: Satin/Brushed Brass

As I mentioned before, satin nickel is actually fairly easy to work with because of its warm undertones. It pairs well with brass (especially if it’s also satin or brushed) if you’re brave enough to mix metals…and you should! This is easy to accomplish by changing out your cabinet hardware (fast and cheap!) or your switch and outlet plates (also fast and cheap!). The mistake I see a lot of people make is going the cool-toned route. They see silver and lean into black and white. You could do that, of course, and it would work well enough, but it would be just as basic as your faucet. Instead, pull the warmth out of the nickel and use olive greens and ivories! A little black-and-white marble moment through some bath accessories and even a cute striped towel set adds a touch of modernity, while a darker-toned wood table (or anything else wood, really) adds a realness and depth to everything else.

You’ll notice I pulled a tile for this and every other moodboard. Guilty! I couldn’t help myself, but if you’re not installing anything permanent, just pull that color for something else major, such as wall paint, trim, or even a peel-and-stick wallpaper. An even less intrusive approach is to use the tile color in a rug or shower curtain instead of what I picked. Just be sure the color from my selections appears somewhere else via an accessory or another moment.

And lastly, a seriously underrated technique to make dated or ugly elements in a room work: Bring in some weird and whimsy. In this case, a wool fish rug. Without it, the room looks like it’s trying too hard to be chic, even without being built around a chic faucet. But with it, it feels happy and pulled together. Go ahead, cover it up with your hand and see what I mean.

1. Artisanal 5X5 Ceramic Wall Tile | 2. Like Buttah by Clare | 3. Architectural 3 – Gang Toggle Light Switch Standard Wall Plate | 4. Dyed Thread Cotton Bath Towel | 5. Nexus Black Marble Soap Pump | 6. Nexus Black Marble Toothbrush Holder | 7. Ugglerum Side Table | 8. Trellis Shower Curtain | 9. Handmade Fish Runner Rug

Builder-Grade Fixtures Color Combo #2: Chrome

• Fixture Finish: Chrome
• Color Palette to Try: Ice Blue, Burgundy, Dark Oak, White
• Metal Mix: Chrome, Lacquered Color

Now, on the opposite side of the undertone spectrum is chrome for our popular choices for builder-grade fixtures. The faucet below is one we had in my childhood home until my parents did a big bathroom remodel, so it feels very nostalgic to me. I can still feel the memory of that plastic-y knob in the muscles and tendons of my hand. I can even hear what it sounds like when it opens and closes. Anyway, I digress.

Chrome is actually very popular again, so you may find yourself taking this color palette and applying it to a bathroom you’re working on with a super cool and very “now” chrome faucet. Either way! Here, just as I did with nickel, I’m leaning into the undertone with a cool, icy blue juxtaposed with a warm burgundy because I love those two hues together. Chrome doesn’t mix that well with other metal finishes, in my opinion, so I’m keeping any other metal here in the same family. You could probably get away with a polished brass or a matte black, but eh, not necessary. White is super classic with chrome and looks sharp and clean, so you’ll see that in the soap pump and toothbrush holder, as well as the shower curtain and towel. The towel’s red embroidered border and the sweet little florals are our moment of whimsy here without going too overboard. And technically, I guess so are those glossy blue knobs. I LOVE colored knobs; so unexpected and playful. I picked a fairly contemporary checked pattern for the rug to counterbalance a faucet that might feel very “yesterday”. Wood is always necessary to ground everything shiny (here, I went with a tray, but you could do this with a wastebasket, decorative storage box, bathroom furniture, etc.). Be sure to add in enough of that burgundy if you don’t do something like that tile; otherwise there won’t be enough depth, and it’ll just end up looking like a baby boy’s chrome-and-ice-blue bathroom.

1. Bottega Glossy Porcelain Tile in Mahogany | 2. Ice Sculpture by Benjamin Moore | 3. Colored Gloss Pebble Knob | 4. Wooden Decorative Tray | 5. Classic White Chrome Bath Accessories, Soap/Lotion Pump | 6. Classic White Chrome Bath Accessories, Toothbrush Holder | 7. Floral Embroidered Bath Towel | 8. European Linen Shower Curtain | 9. Machine Washable Checkered Gray Area Rug

Builder-Grade Fixtures Color Combo #3: Lacquered Brass

• Fixture Finish: Lacquered Brass
• Color Palette to Try: Butter Yellow, Ochre, Blush, Rattan
• Metal Mix: Polished Nickel, Antique Brass

The lacquered brass of today’s builder-grade fixtures is very different from the lacquered brass of the ’80s. Mostly because that wasn’t even brass most of the time, but instead a tacky gold finish coated in a clear, shiny film. But even if you still have that, I promise we can make it look good…well…better. Here, I decided to lean alllll the way in. Got a yellow faucet? Let’s go full-force yellow, almost as if you meant to have a polished brass-like fixture. The key? Keep all those yellow shades varied. This is how you create depth and dimension. Dark ochre towels, beige and pin-striped shower curtain, sunflower-hued bath mat, buttery yellow wall tile (or paint), light natural rattan trash can, and even a yellow-adjacent burl wood-finished little wheeled cart. The bubble tray is a glossy dark brown, which plays off the shine of the brass, but continues the warmth of the other tones. In contrast, however, I picked polished nickel for some bath accessories because they cut through the richness some, but still echo both the warmth and shiny qualities of the polished brass. You could also go the route of opposites with a satin antiqued brass (like in the switch plate below). And finally, for a touch of whimsy and unexpectedness, mix in some hardly-there blush somewhere—here I picked a paint color by Clare, though you could add in some accent towels or art as well with this shade!

1. Wing It by Clare | 2. Clé Guild: New California in Cigar/MatteYarrow | 3. Art Deco Step Satin Antique Brass – Single Toggle Switch Plates | 4. Glossy Decorative Tray | 5. Pierce & Ward Burled Finish Cart (12″) | 6. Diagonal Ribbed Towel Sets | 7. Bedford Silver Soap Dispenser | 8. Bedford Silver Bath Tumbler | 9. Rinna Rattan Waste Bin | 10. Cotton Linen Striped Shower Curtain | 11. Frontgate Resort Collection Skid-Resistant Bath Rug

Builder-Grade Fixtures Color Combo #4: Matte Black

• Fixture Finish: Matte Black
• Color Palette to Try: Ivory, Beige, Amber, Antique Wood, Travertine
• Metal Mix: Satin Brass

The newest finish to the builder-grade fixtures scene is matte black. It was plastered everywhere around 2015-ish during the height of Modern Farmhouse. There’s nothing inherently wrong with matte black hardware or finishes, but it does tend to feel quite cold and industrial. If you have something similar and are ready to change the vibes, may I recommend just going hard on the warm neutrals? I always did a deep emerald green color story here (that’d be good, too), but I recognize that not everyone likes or needs color in every room of their home. Instead of white, go with ivory, linen, bone, and vintage wood. Some brushed soft gold is a great pair to bring in some different metals to break up a bank of black hardware. I also love some travertine in here, either via surface materials or in an accessory like a tray, for instance. A limewash finish adds additional texture and complexity. And finally, our touch of whimsy comes through the amber “confetti” canisters.

1. Bone Limewash | 2. Mason Marble Black Knob | 3. Amber Confetti Glass Canister with Lid | 4. Amber Confetti Glass Liquid Soap Dispenser | 5. Tuscan Large Beige Marble Rectangle Tray | 6. Moderne – Brushed Gold Decorative Metal Wallplate | 7. Waffle Cotton Bath Towel in Ivory | 8. Three-Legged Wooden Stool | 9. Organic Oasis Shower Curtain | 10. Frontgate Resort Collection Bath Mat in Ivory

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And that’s all she wrote! Four moodboards with four color palettes to complement and elevate fairly basic bathroom builder-grade fixtures and their finishes. But again, these can be used even if you have a super awesome bathroom faucet finish. You can even pull these same combos into your kitchen, too! Get crazy, and let me know what you think.

Until next time, friends…

*Opening Image Credits: Design and Photos by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: How Sara Course Corrected Her Initial “Clean, Modern, And Very Neutral” Primary Bath Design Plan Into The Actual Design She Wanted – It’s A Surprise Reveal!

Happy Sunday, everyone! A busy week per usual, which we love. But if you’ve been following along on Instagram, then you know Emily was able to sneak off with Brian for a couple of days of cycling in nature, their new favorite couple activity! Hope you got to do something you enjoy this week and will now enjoy this week’s links:)

This week’s house tour is a design endorphin hit nestled on the coast of Ibiza! The beautiful bold colors were crafted by the designer/owner, Ingrid Rasmussen, and a local painter to represent the colors of the island. From there, she repainted furniture that was sold with the home, found canned chairs that were being trashed by a hotel, and filled it with meaningful art and other found treasures. Go take a look!

From Emily: Well Target launched their new fall decor which I tried to ignore because I don’t need anything for my house right now, but when I saw the scalloped tray basket that could hold my unmated socks so perfectly on top of our washer/dryer (or hold my unopened mail, or junk on my office table, or remotes on our coffee table) while ALSO looking so cute I snagged it AND its matching bigger basket. We used the bigger basket as a pot in a shoot recently that was so cute (warning, it doesn’t hold water), and now it’s Brian’s hamper because his wire and canvas hamper rusted (all over his clothes). Anyway, it looks a lot like the vintage basket that I recently got, but it’s sturdier because the wicker is fresh. Cute affordable woven baskets for the win!

From Caitlin: Confession: I am a water freak. As a toddler, the only way to get me out of the pool was to bribe me with a grilled cheese sandwich (I’m no better than a Labrador). Not much has changed in the 30 years since, and now that Den and I are beach folks, I’m swimming EVERY SINGLE DAY. Not wussy swimming, either – I’m cannonballing, I’m playing mermaids, I’m chasing those weighted dive rings, I’m boogie boarding, and I’m absolutely trashing my already-dry hair with chlorine and saltwater. In an attempt to mitigate the damage, I picked up this leave-in conditioner, and I cannot believe that it actually works. (I shouldn’t have been so surprised – they also make the dry shampoo that I’m always raving about here.) I’m not saying that this makes me look like I’ve had a professional smoothing treatment – it’s a billion percent humidity here, and I’m still getting frizz – but my hair feels SO much softer, noticeably shinier, and it can air dry without turning into a total puffy mess. It smells divine, it doesn’t look greasy even when I accidentally inevitably spray it on my roots and part, and the bottle is really lasting a long time even though I’m using A LOT of it (~14 sprays/day – don’t tell me that’s too much, I don’t want to know!!!).

Heidi Caillier has done it again with her INCREDIBLE new collection with June Loloi. If you are looking for elevated, cozy, modern traditional pillows and rugs, you have to see this new drop. Here are some of our favorites, but honestly we loved it all.

Allie Pillow | Olympia Hand-Loomed Rug | Ozzie Pillow

Stella Hand-Knotted Rug | Magda Pillow | Guillermo Hand-Loomed Rug

From Jess: A magical thing happening over the weekend! A new friend bought a pair of shoes that ended up not fitting her. And like so many of us do, she didn’t send them back within the return window. So after a shot at trying to sell them online, I got my Cinderella story because the shoe fit! I’ve talked before about my love of jelly flats (mine were $20ish at the time), but the new ones I got are not only so pretty, but the soles are plush, like walking on mini clouds plush. I have the Mocha color, and they go with everything, so I highly recommend!

From Gretchen: I hate to say it, but Walmart does it again. I popped in to grab a few groceries and left with a super cute plaid romper dress. I’m calling it a romper dress because it looks like a mini dress but has built-in shorts that read more like another layer of skirting, except they provide necessary butt coverage since it’s overall pretty short. It’s comfy, cute, fluttery; I loved the blue plaid, and hey, it was only $15. I grabbed the medium because they were out of my normal large, but it actually fits really well!

From Arlyn: A woman I follow on Instagram tipped off her audience to a 50% off sale on all Adidas shoes and clothing on the Simon website (Simon as in Simon malls…had no clue they actually have an ecommerce platform, as well). I really hope the sale is still going by the time you read this! Just put in code ADIDAS50 at checkout, and it’ll cut your total in half. I got these shnazzy green sneaks for $21!! Feeling pretty good about that deal right about now. Let’s hope they fit right…

From Marlee: So I was at the Goodwill Bins a few weeks ago and found a very thrashed LL Bean Boat & Tote. Fun fact – these were originally sold as “ice carriers” to help people haul heavy blocks of ice from their cars to home ice chests in the 40s. Well, I gave mine a good Oxiclean soak + scrub, and she looks brand spankin new. I finally understand why people have loved these bags for decades – not only is it cute and SO durable, it’s so much more structured than I realized. I love that I can put my laptop, camera, chargers, water bottle (and more) in it, set it on a table, and it stays sitting straight up. I think mine is the small size, which is smaller than a normal tote bag but big enough to haul all my gear around. They come in some other cute colors and you can even custom embroider it – I got lucky buying a pre-loved one because mine has “ESPN” embroidered on it (I have loose plans to cover this with a patch of sorts). Would make a great gift too!

From Mallory: SECRETS OUT: WE GOT A PUPPY!!!!!!! He is the most adorable baby and his name is Brisket. When I was looking for dog stuff, I realized there are some very ugly dog beds on the market – and as a design enthusiast, I really was not about it haha. I ended up finding this super cute bed from a company called “Lay-Lo,” and I LOVE IT. The cover zips right off and is washable, and I got the waterproof mattress protector, and it has been amazing. We got the large size in red checker (Brisket is a golden retriever and will probably be about 70 lbs), and he is loving it so far. The fabric is thick, high quality, and is fast-drying (ask me how I know…he has absolutely had some accidents on it, which was to be expected). I also love that they have a ton of cute styles so we can always swap out the cover if we want to refresh the space (or if he inevitably eats it since he’s just a baby). More to come on Brisket – HE IS THE BEST! 

Also From Marlee: SIDE NOTE: as if my blurb wasn’t enough, maybe these photos of Mal’s perfect puppy being carried around in an LL Bean Boat & Tote will do it for you. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!

Thank you for our little hang, and see y’all tomorrow! xx

Opening Image Credits: Design by Mallory Wackerman and Cooper VonAchen from California Closets | Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: Mal’s Basic, Builder-Grade Closet Got A Major Upgrade (And Doubled Its Storage!)

We are approaching pant season, which I will happily embrace despite being quite the shorts enthusiast (seen here and here). The rumour of the skinny pant coming back has yet to be proven (I think there has been a universal pushback by women writ large), but finding the right non-skinny but not crazy baggy pant (which just looks so schlubby on me) can be hard. Nili Lotan nailed it years ago, but their pants are so expensive (and so awesome), and then LESET has a new one that people are splurging on (which I bought to show you). So I went on the hunt for the best fall pants and found some that I love for those of us in the market, at less splurgy price points. In general, these are more mid to lower waist since I’m short-torsoed with big breasts, so I need to create more space between waist and boobs (especially when the pants are big). But if that’s not your profile, then maybe you’ll like some of my tops, fall sweaters, and shoes:)

Top (in XL) | Necklace | Pants | Slides

Ok, these are the viral pants from LESET that everyone is talking about (and searching for dupes). They are poplin (thin), are extremely airy (so very comfortable and lightweight), and yet still have structure (the seams stay stiff, not flowy or drapey AT ALL). They have cool stitching that you can barely see in this photo. After trying them on, I can confirm that there is something pretty special about them (feels like you are wearing nothing, but indeed are a structured pair), but for $278 I wondered if they could possibly be worth it. There are a few dupes out there which I bought to test out, and I’m happy to say that the Gap’s version is pretty dang great for 1/3rd the cost. While I do really like these LESET ones, not for $278; they are too “hospital scrub” for me, and I really think you can check that box (which is so casual) in a much cheaper way. Anyway, if LESET is in your budget, go for it. But keep reading for my dupes

Necklace | Sweater | Pants | Flip-flops

These are the Gap dupes that I LOVE. Yes, they are camo (comes in a lot of colors, but I like camo), and the stitching is different, but the look and feel is similar. These are $90, so not cheap, but 1/3rd the cost of the LESET. These are true to size; I’m wearing a small (I’m between a 4 and 27), and I ordered regular, but it comes in petite and tall. These were a slam dunk for me: so lightweight, thin but structured, great length. Just awesome. The burgundy quarter zip is from Quince (I did a fall sweater review for them, so I ordered a ton). It’s super soft, very high quality, and on the longer side. Extremely cozy and actually on the lighter side.

Necklace | Sweater | Pants | Sandals

I’ll just continue my Gap love with the low-waisted cargo pants of my dreams. FANTASTIC. I put them on, and it’s like they were made to fit exactly like how I like pants to fit (I’m wearing a 4 PETITE, so they hit a bit shorter in such a good way). It’s a thicker twill (not too hot, just not thin like the poplin) and feels so easy to dress up for the office (just add a tank, blazer, and flats) or dress down with flip-flops or skinny/flat sneakers (nothing too chunky). 10/10, true to size and comes in a few different colors. THE PERFECT FALL PANT.

Necklace | Top | Culottes | Flip-flops

Now these might get a side eye from some people, but they are very in (at least in New York). They are, get this, barrel culottes. But I really liked them!! Especially when it’s still hot out but you don’t want to dress summery still, or if you aren’t someone who likes to show off legs and you miss the capri/culotte era. I don’t know if I’ll wear these enough to keep them, but I do think these are cool. The long-sleeve boxy T-shirt is also from the Gap.

Necklace | Top | Pants | Belt | Flip-flops

These pants I bought and debuted in February, and they became so popular that they kept selling out, so now they make them in many more colors. They are rad. They are barrels with a fantastic shape and length and more low-waisted for an easy tuck (they just feel way more casual than typical slacks). My only beef with these is that they are pretty fitted at the waist, which is great in the morning, but they definitely come in more than just sit on your waist, so I find them uncomfortable “post-burrito”.

Necklace | Sweater | Pants | Sandals

These are another pair of pants that people were talking about, Citizens of Humanity, and yes, they are rad. They are also slightly barrel, slight taper, big flat front pockets, ankle length. They are also super splurgy, so for me the two Gap above check my boxes, but yes, these are very very, very good. Big cozy sweater is from Free People (size WAYYYYY down, I’m wearing a small here and def am going to return for an XS or XXS).

Necklace | Sweater | Pants | Shoes

Now these pants are staples for me, by Emerson Made. I love that brand (small, made in America, and very classic but cool). These are what a lot of brands try to knock off (they are over $100, so not cheap but not $278). The stripe is perfect – busy, but they still read as “light” without being bright white. These are roomy, but tapered a bit and slouchy in the best of ways. The cardigan is my perfect cardigan, chunky but not long (hits at my waist) and easy to layer over things. Not too heavy, so I wore it a ton at night during the summer. I dressed it up by wearing it as a top (no tank underneath) with my navy blue silk lace skirt to go to a musical with my kids this summer in SF.

Necklace | Top | Pant | Belt

I popped into J.Crew to see what barrel slacks they had, and I found these, which are very thick and structured and a great color. They are a bit too high-waisted for me, so I’m returning them, but if you like a mid to high-rise clean barrel that looks high-end (great for work), these are great (and I feel like J.Crew always has sales). Sandals are Beek that I got on clearance and for some reason (kinda uncomfortable), but Quince has a great dupe that gets great reviews.

Necklace | Top | Pants | Slides

This one also checked boxes for the more casual vibes – low-waisted, lots of cargo pockets, barrel utility but on the baggier side. The fit is really great and easy to wear. It’s a little bit of a younger vibe, but I’m pretty into it:)

Necklace | Sweater | Pants | Shoes

Ok, these are the last dupes of the LESET that I bought in a small corduroy material. I actually think they are fantastic dupes (comes in navy, green, and cream). They are obviously comfortable, more affordable than the LESET, and the corduroy definitely helps them not to look like hospital pants. Size down on these; I’m wearing an XS, and they are still roomy.

The Gap pants (camo and cargo) and Free People (barrel trouser and green cargo) are the clear winners here (wait, along with Emerson Fry). I actually bought a few from Anthropologie to try, but the sizing was so off. I really wish all these brands could just stick to one size across the board. My fall capsule wardrobe is coming together, folks. xx

*Photos by Kaitlin Green

The fall season/back-to-school (A.K.A. our final chance to really get our lives together before the year is over) is upon us, ha. I don’t want to cut summer any shorter than it needs to be, but thinking a little ahead could reap A LOT of rewards once that cool breeze hits and the kids are dumping every last school supply and sport accessory at your front door. So let’s start there: the entryway. We get a lot of requests for actually helpful entryway pieces that are also affordable. There are so many solutions, ranging from a simple but effective “shoe basket” to a full-blown mini mudroom. If you are thinking, “But where would I look for all of these helpful options?” The clear answer is, of course, Wayfair. I spend a lot of time on their deeply inventoried site, so trust me when I say they will have what you are looking for, in the style you want, and for a price you will like. And since it’s my job to spend time scrolling through their extensive product pages, these pieces below are what we consider VERY good storage/org options for your entryway. I’m going to start with the big pieces and work my way down to the very cute shoe baskets. As you will soon see, I loved a lot of what I saw, so let’s jump in so you can make your lives prettier and more organized sooner.

I realized that what I consider “mini mudrooms” are more correctly called hall trees. Tall pieces of furniture that typically offer a bench, hooks for hanging coats, bags, etc, and sometimes under-bench storage too. For those of you who have the space for entryway pieces like these, they truly seem like a no-brainer. Plus, if you are handy, I bet you could DIY it to make it look built-in! Ok, here’s what I found…

Entryway Pieces: Hall Trees With Storage

Hall Tree Wide With Bench And Storage | Modern Hall Tree with Bench and Shoe Storage

This modern traditional black one (that also comes in two other colorways) is pretty awesome AND under $500! The drawers look substantial, there are a lot of hooks (including on the side), and a cute shelf. It’s a total dream. The white one is also great and perfect for that farmhouse look. If you can believe it, this baby is under $200 and would make such a sweet entry piece.

Hall Tree Wide With Bench And Storage | Bridget Hall Tree with Open Storage

If you want a little more color in your home, these two are both under $400, have a great amount of storage, and also work perfectly within the modern farmhouse style. They don’t have any closed storage, but that gives you more flexibility, with some cubbies and having easy access for shoes while others can have bins for other needs.

Solid Wood Hall Tree with Bench and Shoe Storage | Priscyla Wood Hall Tree

For my modern lovers, I was pretty excited when I saw these two hall trees. I think the black wood one is very chic and is under $200! Again, no closed storage, but if that’s not a requirement for you, I think this is an awesome choice to keep your entry organized. The brown wood one is incredible. This one isn’t as low of a price as the others, but from the looks of it, it’s very worth the money. The midcentury modern design is so timeless yet cool and would be a showstopper when entering your home.

Now, if a whole entryway storage system isn’t what you are looking for or you simply don’t have that kind of space, let’s take a pause real quick and go over our very helpful “foolproof entryway formulas” before we jump back into more pretty products you will likely want to add to cart.

These formulas are here to help and are clearly dependent on what could work in your space. It’s about creating a pretty but functional vignette in your home that makes you smile when you open your door, not sigh with overwhelm of mess. This post is mostly about those larger pieces, but if you don’t already have lamps, vases, art, etc at home, well, Wayfair has awesome options in those categories too:)

Entryway Pieces: Small Entry Cabinet

An entry cabinet (if you have the space) is a warrior of entry organization while adding to the style and beauty of your home. It may be the first thing people see; choose one that represents your style best. I focused on smaller cabinets, but if you have the room for a larger one, go for it!

Auris Storage Cabinet | Kaia Modern Rope 2-Door Cabinet

Both of these look so much more expensive than they are (which is under $200). They feel special but not overly ornate in a modern way. At the same time, they feel very versatile stylistically! Throw them in a traditional home, an eclectic, boho home, an MCM home. You see it, right?

Lucious Transitional Storage Curved Cabinet | Solid Wood Veneer Accent Cabinet

If you want to go more traditional and a little ornate, the details on both of these entryway pieces are perfect. The spindle legs are so pretty, and the subtle scallops on the brown piece are unexpected at the top of the door. So great!

Sapa 2 Door Storage Cabinet | 24-Pair Shoe Storage Cabinet with Adjustable Shelves

For the more “organic brutalist” lover (like me), these two really spoke to me! The carved 3-D doors are unbelievably cool (plus it comes in 4 other wood tones!), and those chic rectangular handles on the other piece are awesome. It proves once again that while a detailed piece can be unreal, “the right” simple design and scale is just as impactful.

Entryway Pieces: Shoe Plus Cabinet

Shoes, I think, are one of the biggest culprits to the “clutter body” feeling that comes over us when we see a chaotic entry. And while any cabinet can hold shoes, some are made for them. This next section includes cabinets that are meant to hold shoes but not exclusively, because sometimes you want some versatility:)

Modern Sculpted Checkerboard Texture Storage Cabinet | Mansfield Accent Cabinet

Keeping with the cool modern style from the last section, I still love a checkerboard pattern, and this one is no different. It can hold up to 24 pairs of shoes, but the shelves are adjustable, so you make the rules about what gets stored. The other one of these entryway pieces is still textured but in a simpler way. The fluted doors are so pretty but not visually loud if you want quiet texture. It also comes in other wood tones.

5-Tier Shoe Storage Cabinet | Chada 30 Pair Rattan Shoe Storage Cabinet

These two are much more modern traditional but still fun! I love the design of the doors on the dark wood one, and the rattan doors on the other (and larger) one are a total classic.

Entryway Pieces: Shoe Only Storage

These entryway pieces are exclusively shoe cabinets. You know, the ones that flip out for easy access and are nice and slender for small entries? There are so many great styles, so let’s get into it.

16 Pair Shoe Storage Cabinet | Clie 16 Pair Shoe Storage Cabinet

For me, this brown one is perfect. Modern, cool, but still has warmth. The other is also so pretty with, again, those beloved rattan doors. Plus, for your everyday shoes, there’s that cute little shelf at the bottom.

Modern Minimalist Shoe Cabinet | 24-Pair Shoe Storage Cabinet

I think I’ve talked about this modern minimalist shoe cabinet before because I think it’s so elegant. If your style leans modern traditional/classic, this is your piece. It comes in other wood tones too! But if you are a farmhouse-style lover, then this blue one is perfect. There’s the beloved vertical paneling, a great dark blue-gray, and it fits 24 pairs of shoes!

Entryway Pieces: Long Console Table

If a full cabinet is visually too heavy for your entry, or you don’t need that much storage (more just a place for your keys, purse, etc.), a console table could be the perfect solution. Let me show you…

Console Table with Drawers | Branden 2-Drawer Console Table

See how pretty these modern traditional (but still decorative) console tables are?? The detailing on each one makes them look so special, and they both have drawers! A little decorative whimsy upon entry feels like it would be pretty dreamy, wouldn’t you say?

Maud Wood Console Table | Celine 2-Drawer Console Table

For the clean line lovers, these two are kinda perfect. Simple but not boring, and both have other color options. I also think these two could work with any style. Oh, and drawers! I think an entry console table realllly benefits from having some drawers. I’m not advocating for junk drawers, but it’s nice to be able to quickly clear off the top of the table to help with that inevitable clutter body.

Wood Console Table | Long Console Table

I’d say these two lean even more modern but not in a “woah that’s modern” kind of way. But a little more chunky and decorative in a different way than the first more modern traditional pair. I LOVE those square wood knobs. The best part is that they are both under $200 (the first is under $120!).

Entryway Pieces: Wall Mirrors

Entryway pieces like cabinets and consoles tend to need a buddy above them, and mirrors are an excellent option. We love art too, but a mirror is also helpful when you are walking out the door and would like just one more peek at how your hair is holding up:) Here are some of our current favorites!

Dermot Metal Wall Mirror | Bhargava Large Arched Mantel Wall Mirror

This round cutie is chic! I have one similar, so I’m likely a little biased, but that metal hanging piece completely elevates an already great and classic shape. Same goes for the arched rectangle one. A standard rectangular mirror is great, but why not have a little fun and go for the slightly arched shape instead? That also comes in a variety of sizes and metal colors.

Capra Metal Wavy Wall Mirror | Mirror with Scalloped Corners

If you like the thin metal frame but want a little more playfulness, here you go! I will have that wavy mirror in a house I live in one day. It feels like modern vintage and is just so elegant to me. The scalloped corners one is so sweet! I know in this image it’s in a bathroom, but it would look incredible in an entry too. Modern traditional with a side of glam? Yep, this is your mirror.

Lacie Rattan Rectangle Wall Mirror | Aticus Metal Arch Mirror

Looking for a mirror that’s got more than a thin metal frame? Try something like this awesome rattan one. It’s got texture, a fun shape, and personality! The metal arched one is a classic beauty. Who doesn’t love a mirror like this?

Entryway Pieces: Benches

When I think of entryway pieces, I think benches. Easy, pretty, and functional. Let’s get into what I found:)

Alisma Solid Acacia Wood Entryway Bench | Farmhouse Entryway Bench

Classic, minimal, and so pretty. I love that both of these still have shoe storage, but you can also style a vase on the end for a pretty little moment. That might be harder with kids and pets, but that’s what museum clay is for, right? Oh, and both of these are under $220.

Mid-Century Upholstered Flip-Top Velvet Storage Bench | Farmhouse Shoe Bench With Flip-top Storage

You may not actually be able to style a vase on these since the tops flip up, but that also means they have secret storage! Both of these are so pretty. The color of the velvet one is so pretty and rich (plus velvet is actually not hard to clean), and the shape of the wood one is really special. I bet every guest that walks through your door would comment on how much they love it.

L-Shaped Entryway Bench | L-Shape Storage Bench

For those with more space, an L-shaped storage bench might be your perfect piece! Between the two of these, you have infinite style options – modern, organic, California casual, traditional, farmhouse, etc., etc. Plus, even more closed storage.

Now, if you are like, “but Jess, what about hanging coats and purses?!” I’ve got you.

Entryway Pieces: Wall Coat Racks

A classic wall coat rack will solve that problem instantly. Here are my Wayfair favorites:

Guildford Solid Wood Eight Hook Wall Mount Coat Rack | 9-hook Solid Beech Wall Hooks

If you love a classic design, this wall-mounted coat rack is right for you. Plus, like in the image, you have a little ledge to lean some pretty art and even add a bud vase. If you want a little more modern and even an MCM look, how cute is that light beech piece? It also comes in a darker walnut and is under $100! Again, a ton of hanging space and a little top shelf for some cute decor. Win-win.

Sifford Solid Wood Wall 5-Hook Coat Rack | 5-Hook Modern Coat Rack with Hidden Wall Hooks

Want something even more affordable? Both of these are under $50! The first one is so freaking cute and has a great MCM style. It’s simple but very cool. Then I love that the black one hides the hooks. Even less clutter body potential!

Entryway Pieces: Wall Shelves

But maybe you like the idea of a wall-mounted coat rack, but you want something bigger. Here are some incredible entryway pieces that won’t take up any floor space.

Carwile Entryway Wall-Mounted Coat Rack | Jaela Wood Flat Mirror

The first one is like the hall trees but without the bench! It has such a great presence, takes up a good amount of wall, and like I said before, won’t take up floor space. The brown wood one is perfect for a small space AND gives you everything you need – mirror, shelf, hooks.

Adryell Wall Mirror with Storage | Hide Wall Mounted Mirror With Shelves And Hooks

I thought these were pretty cool. Entry wall storage that’s customizable with the shelving but also has a secret mirror! They’re modern, fun, and give you the option to look at your outfit while not always needing to have the mirror out and proud. Both are under $150!

Entryway Pieces: Large (Shoe) Baskets

I would be remiss if I didn’t show you some of my favorite large baskets Wayfair has on their site. Because of Emily, I am a huge fan of the shoe basket (or bin). I’m not a messy person, but I do love kicking off my shoes the moment I step through the door. So having a bin I can toss them in is the easiest way to keep my entry organized.

Simran Rattan Basket | Brittyn Wicker Basket

Big and rectangular is one way to go, and I love these two for that. The first one is classic, light, and deep, which is nice for a family! I love the wavy sides of the wicker one. It’s a small detail that packs a lot of design punch. It’s so cute!

Thelma Rattan Basket | Tatiana Rattan Basket

If you prefer a more rounded rectangular basket, these two are so awesome. The first one is 31″ wide! Are you kidding me? That can fit so many shoes, and it’s pretty. It also comes in a lighter color and in a smaller size if 31″ might be unnecessarily large:) The second rattan one I love because of the shape and the opening. Plus the woven detailing may be a little transparent, but it’s really beautiful. 10/10.

I honestly could have put double the amount of products in here, but I had to restrain myself. But that’s all to say, if you are looking to spruce up entryway pieces or really any area of your home, Wayfair truly has an unbelievable selection. Let’s all start making our homes feel really good, organized, and dare I say cozier for fall:)

Love you, mean it.

*Thank you to Wayfair for partnering with us on this blog post.

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: How We Staged A House (To Sell) With Soul