We are getting close to three years into this project (four years since we found the property) and seeing the progress documented in this post actually makes me tear up. It’s taken me a while to get our footing up here, build a team to help create the content, deal with endless mud through the remodel, and now with a deadline looming I’m using it as an excuse to be as “done” as possible. Not sure what “done” means in our world, but I think at least where every room functions for its own purpose, and no room feels like a storage room (like our bedroom does right now). I really, really wanted to be able to take our time and enjoy the decorating process which is why I pushed shooting it til late May, and truly we had a lot of time, but there are still a lot of things that have to happen. I wouldn’t say I’m scrambling, but I wouldn’t say that I’m NOT scrambling either 🙂 It’s honestly SO FUN. We secured the Real Simple magazine feature a couple of years ago because I love Real Simple so much. Part of working with a magazine is keeping some rooms exclusive to the feature – i.e. not showing the whole world everything so that no one buys the magazine. Now social media has changed this process SO MUCH, especially for those of us whose livelihood depends on our own traffic/numbers and daily documentation of our homes. So I’ve been able to show you a lot, but yes, will hold onto some room reveals till after we shoot.
Today I’m going to walk you through where we are with every room, what rooms have been done and shot (and how we’ll style them differently) as well what we have left to do. It’s a lot of moving parts, with so many domino effects but y’all it is absolutely coming along and I feel beyond grateful for this home, this job, and that I get to share it all with you here. I’m trying to figure out some sort of reader event like we did for the mountain house that doesn’t give me strange anxiety about people knowing where my kids live. I’d love to open it up to those of you who have followed so closely (thank you) and share it in person but this is our full-time home (not a vacation home like the mountain house) so it makes me more nervous. I even jokingly thought that we could blindfold people, put them on a bus, take their phones so they can’t ping where we are, and bring them here for a day-long party. Most of that is highly unadvisable so I’m hoping instead that our new videographer and my team can figure out the best way to show you every nook and cranny through video content so that you feel here. So here is where we are at – room by room.
The Front Door
Well, the front door color (an extremely good red called Poinsettia SW 6594) has been changed (as of last week). The house is so white and big and this bright red door just popped too much. It was strangely in your face and aggressive (as red most certainly is). So last week we changed it to a – shocker – blue, and as I round the broken driveway and the house comes into view, it feels so much better I can’t even tell you. It was a three-hour change that makes a world of difference to me loving my own curb appeal. I was trying to figure out why the red wasn’t working for me and I think it was that against the white and green it read holiday but more than that I think that when we had a red door before it was against a warmer/darker color so it was more subtle. The only word that I can think of to describe why I didn’t like the combination is that it felt too “flashy” and just not very “us”. But I love a red door in certain situations, for sure.
The Kitchen
The kitchen has been done since October when we shot it and revealed it here. For the magazine shoot, we’ll likely style it differently making it more seasonal (shooting in May, September issue) and get more family shots in here. The magazine editors/art directors will have a huge say in this to make sure that these shots speak to their audience and feel right for the issue and time of year. I’m SO GRATEFUL for this advice because honestly, I can’t be objective about my own home anymore. I know this for a fact because I totally understyled the mountain house kitchen, not wanting a lot of “stuff,” because I was in such a minimalist stage. My aversion to clutter clouded my judgment. I think having their input/expertise on how many lifestyle moments we want, without making it feel cluttered will be so valuable.
The Pantry
The pantry is also shot and done. If they shoot this space nothing is changing except maybe the rug and styling. See the full reveal here.
The Dining Nook
We JUST shot and revealed this (which I LOVE). We do have some more to add, all in the works. When we shot this nook it was with our fabric partner, Sunbrella, and we didn’t want to put any other non-Sunbrella fabrics so that they could really own the photos without fabric confusion. So for the magazine shoot, we are going to add more but not too much.
- We might shoot my vintage Cherner chairs instead (even though our kids love sitting on these chairs more) because I love the shape of them so much. Might be a game-day decision. They are caramel leather which we love, too.
- We are adding a cafe curtain on a brass rod. I’m slightly nervous about this because the fabric that I originally wanted became out of stock and my #2 choice is a bit thicker. They come in this week and hope that they are perfect.
- We’ll mix up the pillows. Max already took back his Sunbrella for Pindler pillows (he needed them for High Point) so I’ve ordered yardage of his fabrics to make more, and then yes might mix in others should we feel like it.
The Mudroom
I love our mudroom SO MUCH, and if you missed the full tour head to the reveal here. Yes, this room could have been styled with more “life,” for sure. I feel like I do this thing where for the first reveal I want everyone to see “the design” – to really see the tile choice, the trim, the cabinets – all the big moments that are more about the remodel and design. Then it’s fun to muck it up and style it more how a family lives in it. So I’m assuming that’s what we’ll do for the shoot (i.e. muddy boots by the door, a pretty rug/mat, dogs, the perfect dog leash hanging on a hook, etc). We shot it with the dogs and broke down the dog bathtub here.
The Primary Closet
Not sure if they are going to even shoot this but if they do we’ll likely style it differently. Also, that bench is back at the foot of my bed and this Target bench is back in here (this bench was a bit too big when we were actually moving around the space).
The Guest Room
We did a “first reveal” of this with Target in September before my in-laws came to stay. And the room is basically a time capsule (nothing has changed, because it is so warm/calm). We are doing a custom bed with this Rebecca Atwood fabric (which I’m so excited about), we have since added beautiful white shades (from Decorview). But that’s kinda it – I love this room so much – the color on the walls (SW 6030 Artistic Taupe) is absolute perfection.
The Entry Progress
The entry has officially been wallpapered – and it’s one that might underwhelm a lot of you but I LOVE IT. I can’t wait to show you. We also just got our Thos Moser bench which is exquisite (the one above is from Rejuvenation which now lives outside). I’m waiting to find the right piece of art (something graphic, simple, powerful, large scale, but not busy or too in your face).
The Living Room Progress
The living room is the furthest from being done, but we are getting there. Here are the updates that are in the works:
- Furniture choices and layout – we have a lot in the works. I have a sofa and another club chair arriving next week. We might reupholster a different chair. But essentially until we get the major pieces we can’t really rearrange anything. It’s a game of musical chairs that I’m very, very excited to play.
- Our coffee table is being made. You may have seen it on stories, but we are customizing a vintage wood slab coffee table with two makers here – Purl (@total_nonsequitur) and his blacksmith friend, Billy. I’m SO EXCITED. They are currently staining it and welding the legs.
- We are adding curtains on the big windows, cafe curtains on the double-hungs AND a roman shade on the other double-hung that doesn’t have such a deep sill. They are super simple curtains that hopefully just add some softness and texture but don’t make it too busy. There are times when I’m feeling back to my eclectic self and other times when there is too much going on, so I’m slightly nervous about these curtains. But my hope is that it just softens the room (and will be great for light control during peak summer western light in the afternoon).
- We aren’t happy with the fireplace and I still feel unsure of what to do. If I could snap my fingers it would be a pretty aged natural brick. We’ve thought about painting it dark or medium, considered lime washing it (still might), and recladding the mantel with a pretty wood. We are still totally unsure of what to do – none of those feel right YET. Hoping that the right inspiration and I can get to my “80% sure” level in order to execute.
- Literally, all the art and accessories are up for grabs. I’ve only put like 5 nails in the wall in this house because I want all the art and walls ready for us to do a full holistic art placement (mostly to avoid unnecessary holes). In the few that I have put in, I feel pretty good about, but we’ll see. It’s such a balance and I’m so picky about making sure that we don’t put abstract next to abstract, etc. Individual vignettes might look sooo good with a certain piece of art but when you pull back to see all the walls it gets trickier.
The Sunroom Progress/Writing Studio
Oh this room…my heart. It’s feeling SO GOOD, y’all. I bought this credenza from Crump & Kwash (finally found the right dimensions/finish/function and size), and then I hung the blimp up, added a huge fiddle leaf fig tree, and it’s 95% there. I secretly miss the portraits of strangers (I was going to do a full gallery wall) but once the blimp didn’t work in the family room (below) this wall was the only wall possible in the whole house. I still need to style it all out, buy more plants (or figure out how many plants I even want in here), accessorize, etc. But I absolutely nailed the dining table, perfect dining chairs, the beautiful light fixtures, our custom windows, and the new credenza – literally every single major element in here works so well together. If only I felt as sure about every other room as I do about this one…
The Family Room Progress
This room changed from being the room that I wanted to be in the least to the room that I almost love being in the most (at night) the second that we painted it dark. Shame on me for not going with my initial gut on this one and trying to play it safe with a lighter color. What’s left?
- Hang the seascape gallery wall. I’m waiting on one last one that is at our framers, then we can go for it.
- Pillows and throws – I’ve avoided buying any because I want them to be in great shape for the shoot.
- I might change the shades of the sconces to gold instead of black (they are gold inside but I might switch them).
- I might make a large cushion for the bench. Technically we don’t need it so I’ve been hesitant to do it, but I have leftover fabric and I think it would be a pretty layer.
- Window treatments for the door windows – the sun blasts in here in the afternoon (and afternoons are long in Portland with the sun not going down til 9:30-10 pm). I might just get some readymade woven shades.
- Custom plaid being framed – excited about this one.
- We added a door to the hallways (so we could close it off to the afternoon light) and that needs to get painted.
- We added two of these bookshelves to the back of the sofa that has provided much-needed function and storage.
The Powder Bath
Now we haven’t put this on the blog yet, but basically this bathroom was painted a blue that I didn’t love as much. I decided to paint it SW 6031 Glamour, the color you see above. HOWEVER, this was the first coat and as my painter was painting I decided to go one shade darker and paint it SW 9078 Cocoa Berry. It’s on the same paint strip (and it’s the color that is on the large sticker that you see). I LOVE this color (SW Glamour) though and have thought about putting it in many other places (including the front door). I guess I just wanted it to be deeper in here since there isn’t any natural light. And I love the color (SW Cocoa Berry) so much. What’s left?
- Wallpaper. I’ve thought about, no joke, 25 different patterns and keep landing on that one above as my favorite. My only issue with it is that we have horizontal “stripes” as the wood paneling so is it weird to put a vertical stripe on the wall space above it? I know that this paper might bore you guys but it’s so simple and pretty and really warm in person (it looks more like a fabric). It’s the vibe that I want.
- Vanity. Welp, the blanket box that we bought and wanted to use was determined to not work (the dimensions were off enough that trying to make it work could be a huge expensive mistake). I’m still looking for the right piece, or might retrofit something else, or not do a vanity at all and just have the wall-hung sink and style out the blank space on the right better.
Staircase Progress
I’m very excited about this pass-through space. Here is what is happening:
- Wallpaper is going up. It’s subtle but I personally think perfect for what I want to do next.
- Add a fun family gallery wall – photos, kid art, and all the stuff that makes us just so happy.
- Add a stair runner. After many attempts to hire a professional installer and find a commercial carpet we like, we are going to do it ourselves. It’s a whole thing that I’ll fill you in on. It’s on the calendar to do it next week and we’ll be documenting it of course. We chose this rug runner and we are very excited to make sure its going to work.
The Landing Progress
This is the only space that I don’t think I’m going to have ready. Since this shot, I have added an oval jute rug, this hutch with glass fronts, and this pedestal table (both from Urban, strangely). The bookcase might end up living in Charlie’s room, which means I’ll kinda start over here. The walls will be wallpapered the same as the stairway (a subtle stripe) and I have grand plans of doing a stencil pattern on the floor. But again since there is so much to capture during our two-day feature shoot I can’t imagine we’ll get to this space so I’m not stressed about finishing it. I have a call with them to see if they want video content and if so then we’ll want it to look nice in case we do a walk-through of the whole house (which is very possible).
The Primary Bedroom Progress
A LOT TO DO HERE, FOLKS. I’m writing this post on Monday and this room is getting painted literally today and tomorrow. It’s all taped off and I’m TERRIFIED that I won’t love the color, so there are a lot of fingers and toes crossed right now. We also got our bed from Maiden Home that is so pretty but is too wide and covers up the sconce light switches (that we don’t use TBH). I know this rug looks really boring, but it’s so soft and cozy, and while it does have a decent amount of stains I’m trying to keep it. The nightstands, lamps, and bench are all great but might get shuffled around the house. In short, this room is nowhere near done but it’s going to be awesome (I think/hope). I might take some new shots when the room is painted and walk you through it all.
The Main Bath
Our bathroom is done, shot, and awaiting its debut to you all. It’s visually so simple, and exactly what I want to spend time in every day. That’s just a peek, more to come very soon I promise 🙂
The Guest Bath Progress
This room is getting wallpapered next week and the glass door enclosure is in. I still want to try to lighten the grout color (I saw a few hacks online) because the tile doesn’t pop as much as I wish it did. But my hope is that the busy-ish wallpaper will make a huge difference and make the non-busyness of the tile actually make sense. I don’t know. It feels a bit like a disappointment right now, but other rooms in the past did as well and often it just takes a few tweaks to make them sing.
The Kids Bath Progress
When we last checked in on this room I was lamenting the two main white colors looked pretty terrible together (the wall color and the tile color). Since that post, we repainted all the drywall and trim a warmer white that matches the tile and it was an instant, immediate, sigh of relief. I don’t think a lot of people would notice it, but it drove me NUTS and since it was my fault it was extra annoying to look at every day. Once repainted to match the tile you could actually focus on what is so great about this bathroom – the green tilework, the cute vintage vanity, the bathtub niche, etc. Since that photo, we’ve added the mirror, more pegs to hang stuff from, and I’ve started to style it out. We love, love, love it.
Elliot’s Room Progress
It’s hard not to be too excited about this room because it’s so wildly fun to hang out in, so we don’t have too much left, honestly. Art, accessories, maybe a rug, a big bulletin board – mostly styling. The only thing I’m debating/considering is either crown moulding or painting the ceiling. It feels pretty unfinished at the ceiling and I’m not sure why?! It might be a matter of just time (both brain time for creativity and time to execute). Crown moulding would be the easiest thing to execute. I also don’t want to over-design this room since it’s for a 7-year-old and her tastes might change, so we could just call it.
Charlie’s Room Progress
And last but not least is Charlie’s bedroom. I love all the vintage stuff, but it’s not there yet design-wise so I need to spend some time sitting in here and staring. We are making a DIY vintage plaid headboard this week so that will help. I might bring the arched wood urban outfitters cabinet in here and put this bookshelf on the landing instead. I also want to execute a cool mural in here – think a Banyon Bridges-style swirl line…Clearly, a lot to do in here but all fun stuff that I think can be pulled together quickly.
That was A LOT…
And also wow, we’ve done a lot. I’ve made so many decisions – both kinda wrong and so right. I’m so glad you are here with me 🙂 Building a life is long, hard, and wonderful. Remodeling a home is the same. We are so close, y’all. SO CLOSE. So thank you so much for being here with me. As Birdie likes to say to me when she knows I need it, “I love you more than all the molecules in the world” 🙂 (but seriously, I really appreciate you here reading, following, and supporting this farmhouse journey). xx
Opening Image Credits: Photo by Kaitlin Green | From: Our Front Door Reveal – On Choosing The Right Color + What It Did To My Psyche AND Our Curb Appeal
Entire project is stunning-clean yet cozy.
I’m noting all of your BLUE oriental-style rugs. I’m having the hardest time finding-I need a 10 x 14 for my living room. Sources?? Thank you!
I agree – they are so hard to find, especially in the deeper denim-blues that Emily has. It does seem like the ones I find are larger, so I hope you have luck in your search!
I used to have a list on ebay titled “BLUE vintage rugs for EmHenderson” -maybe I should bring it back and link here for everyone’s pleasure? : )
The whole house is a dream!
I love every single room sooo much and know they will be perfect (well to be honest, Birdie’s room makes my eyes hurt a little but nothing wrong with that!). The only room I’m a little worried about is… the living room. I feel like maybe part of the issue is that this living room (same as your last house) cries out for traditional and you just don’t really like traditional living rooms and resist them? Since you aren’t done with it yet I just thought I’d register my thoughts :). Thank you for the update! Loved seed the kid’s bath and everything else. Your kitchen and pantry and mudroom are just perfection, can’t wait to see your master bath, and that upper landing is sooo pretty with the blue doors.
I am not a traditional design person, and this room makes me nervous too! I might want to pull the sofas closer together, and move the whole grouping close to the fireplace. The corridor to the sunroom/entryway would be wide, and the people gathered in the seating area would be cozier (in my wholly imaginary scenario). I always want living rooms to be mostly about connecting to other people with as little effort as possible. Let’s not examine the possible childhood trauma, OK?;)
a picture rail in birdie’s room would add interest near the ceiling and give you flexibility to hang art on the wallpaper.
I was going to suggest this too. I think a picture rail would be awesome in there and give her options to change things up as her tastes change.
And when they are teens, it provides a useful place to install the LED light strips they will probably want when they get into the tik tok/streamer aesthetic (I have two teens, and they and all their friends have some kind of LED variations in their room decor, it’s a whole thing).
I loved your front door color and living room progress as a family loving person would love to have your living room comfy and peaceful. I would love to see what else you will add to it 😉
I cannot imagine making all these choices….you’re a pro! And we’re here for it! Thank you for your vulnerability in sharing mistakes, changes and the evolution of creating a home. Bonus: if you do change this up, we get to enjoy that process, too. Can’t wait for the full Real Simple spread! (ps — the wall-hung sink in the powder bath is super cute on it’s own. So if you end up vanity-free there, I bet it will look fabulous with the new color and wallpaper!)
I agree! Never mind the vanity!
Seen all together like this in the one spot, I can’t believe how much you’ve done, how far you’ve come and how well it all works together. I would dearly love to live in this house – even though you no doubt have decision fatigue, it comes across as ‘effortless’ – just a lovely collection of moments that feel cosy and relaxed and not trying too hard.
This was a fun read. Thank you.
Wow! I don’t usually buy Real Simple but I will definitely be purchasing that issue. I’ve loved following along on all the decision making process and progress that you’ve shared. You’ve given me so many ideas for my own house and the push to step out of my comfort zone and go with my gut on design choices. Well done!
Oh my goodness, these are the best posts. Thank you for being honest. Thank you for showing us the in between. And most importantly, thank you for being you. I am not sure what it is about this post but it made my morning. Thank you for sharing your home with us. It really does take so much to make a house a home – and yours is gorgeous. Cannot wait to see.
OMG it all looks so good! I’m with you on the red door. I love a red door but your house is so pretty/restrained that it was too much drama. I also want to put my vote in for cladding the mantel in your living room – wood might help warm it up a bit. Finally, I am very much looking forward to seeing what the yard looks like when it’s done!
It’s a toss up whether the kitchen or the sun room is my favorite space in this house. Or the pantry. Just absolutely lovely, hit-it-out-of-the-park design. I’m still not sure I see the vision for the TV room. The blue sofa and blue walls seem like … a lot of blue. But maybe with pillows and art, I’ll understand where you’re going with this space. Whether or not I do, I’m enjoying the ride. Can’t believe I’ve been watching this house come together for four years. Lol. Congrats on a unique, beautiful space. (Those diamond pattern windows throughout the house really are gorgeous!).
Just, wow, Emily. This is all stunning and serene and lovely. I’ve said it before, but I adore the living room as is. It’s exactly the sort of spacious, calming place I’d like to spend time. Also, seeing the different rooms and spaces and colours side-by-side showcases how beautifully they’re woven together. A heart-sourced, masterful tapestry. Love! Blindfold me, take my phone, and sign me up for the tour!
I agree. I love the living room
I love the white mantel! It’s fresh and unexpected while helping the ceilings feel higher.
Couldn’t resist illustrating my point with this pic from the most recent link-up house tour. I already loved the mantel as-is, but felt so validated when I saw this. It’s such a similar situation to Emily’s. The heaviness of the fireplace is mitigated by the light color that blends into surrounding architecture.
Trying again to attach photo
Great update! Love seeing it all together. Makes it really easy to understand. And it’s all really, really beautiful! You deserve to feel proud of it. I love the way the pink toned rooms balance out the blue/ green toned rooms but all look similar intensity and like they belong together. Can’t wait to see with the final touches of wallpaper etc!!
Agree. Such great/subtle color work.
What Sally said.🤗
I’m sooo excited to see the final production!
Balanced colours, warmed up a bit.
This home is amazing! I realize that there is still a fair amount of stuff to do, but you have done SO MUCH already! The entire home is beautiful but the kitchen and mud room are both to-die-for!! I’m sure those rooms involved the most work but you absolutely hit it out of the park! Congratulations on making a beautiful home where you’ll be making so many cherished memories!!
I really think Emily’s secret-super-power is kitchens and bathrooms!
very exciting! I think the stair runner would be beautiful in the camel color rather than the navy. would add some warmth and grounding to the living room.
That’s a great color suggestion.
I love the navy! So much more distinctive than tan, for me.
I love the navy! I can’t get enough of blue in the house.
Wow, I’ve been watching since the beginning. When you see it done a room at a time, it doesn’t look quite as daunting as seeing the **entire house**! You’ve been doing such a great job. I really like the herringbone floor choices and want to keep that in mind when I redo our bathroom. Part of the fun is the process and now that my home is done, I see things I’d like to implement (redo). Ha!
Love everything and am so happy to see the playfulness that’s coming through in the design of so many of the spaces. While some might want to see more traditional design choices in some of the rooms, I absolutely adore that you aren’t going in that direction. There’s nothing better than a house that makes you think “I bet some cool people live there!” : )
Hi,
I would love to know about the end table in the living room by the leather couch. I tried to look back in posts to see if I missed you talking about this piece. I Love love love it and have not seen this look. The whole house looks great and can not wait for the styling and look in the September reveal.
https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/a-current-tour-of-our-new-rental-house-in-portland
It’s from Chairish!
Is it possibly the Memoky Butterfly Table? https://www.memoky.com/butterfly-coffee-table-faux-wood-html.html. Still available on other sites: search for the Marley coffee table by Phillips Collection.
What a great post. What a GREAT house. Can’t wait to see it all soon.
I thoroughly enjoyed this post. Thanks for sharing!
This is a relatable (if I ignore budget) chronicle of the difficulty in getting it “right!” I’m curious about the recent prominence of pinky/peachy/fleshy tones on this blog. I think I still have some deep-seated 90’s color trauma, but peach and teal seem like odd choices. Of course, I live in the relative design desert of northern Colorado (we’re still exploring the great fixer upper faux farmhousening around here… an odd combo with 90’s mcmansions and modest 1960’s ranches, but you’ve gotta meet us where we are, I suppose) but I’m fascinated by the muddy/moody/fleshy color choices when there are so many colors to be had. Maybe I’ll understand better in 5 years when we catch up.
Yeah, I actually like pink but struggle with the dusky muffled pink tones…seems less Emily to me and I guess I am secretly hoping for more reveals in these spaces later to give those spaces more vitality. I absolutely adore the blues and greens and neutrals everywhere else…
I, too, enjoy pink! I think I’m reacting to the particular shades, too.
Yep, the 90s echo in my mind when I see pinks like these.
I don’t hate ’em, don’t love ’em, but wouldn’t use them bc of the 90s.
What a beautiful and soul-full house you have created for your family (and for us to follow :-)).
I think having Racheal (banyanbridges) come over and do a colorful mural in Charlies room would be the PERFECT addition and exactly what it needs. She has such a great eye for shapes and color and for what a space need. That would be an awesome collaboration.
Completely another direction, but inspired by the “vintage farmhouse” vibe and PNW fauna, I’d be tempted to fly Flora Hoog over from Scotland for the mural! https://www.instagram.com/floredehoog/?hl=en
Flore de Hoog. OOOOPS.
Love this update post! I had completely forgotten about the kids bath and guest bath, two spaces I can’t wait to see fully executed. Looking through all these pictures I think what comes across most is you really nail the long term finishes. I can’t wait to see the entry and stairway fully complete- some of my favorite Emily Henderson spaces are those in-between moments.
Gosh, room by room it’s easy to think…oh, it’s just one room. But when you put it all together the enormity of the work you and Brian have undertaken over the past two years just becomes so apparent. It feels very modern eclectic farmhouse, y’know like it has a healthy respect for the history of the house, just zhuzhed with personality. I love it.
I can’t say I wouldn’t love to visit your house (though actually I wouldn’t because a bunch of strangers in my home would weird me out completely and I think I’d feel that on your behalf!) but I definitely would go for a webinar or something similar to hear you talk about the evolution of your design process in this home.
Wow, Emily, good luck on this final push! That’s a big project! I hope you’ve got a great support team in place and the magazine can come in and offer some fresh perspective and share the decision-making burden with you a bit. I’d love to hear what that collaboration feels like! Like, will you come away with new inspiration, or perhaps find it disorienting to see your project through their eyes. Love hearing about your experience and process. This post reminds us all what a HUGE undertaking this has been—I hope you take a moment to feel a sense of accomplishment. I’m most looking forward to seeing that primary bath reveal! In love with the tile!
Oh my gosh, what an eloquent comment. You’ve said everything so well.😊
I’m so happy the oversized blimp drawing will bthe house too.
The sunroom/writing room + the blimp! I’m absolutely biased because I love that piece of art and am already calling this as my favorite room! Just a peaceful and happy home all around, Emily. Thanks so much for sharing the design process with us.
I saw your daughter’s lamp shades at the Old Spaghetti Factory and instantly recognized. Cute.
I appreciate your vulnerability, indecision and willingness to share the angst. I finally trust myself to know when my design isn’t right yet, but it’s torture on my poor husband. I’m sitting here awash in gratitude in my remodeled kitchen (and main floor scope creep) trying to nail down the finishing details and I find such comfort knowing that my struggle puts me in great company. 🙂
It’s all coming together nicely. Lots and lots of beautiful moments around the house even though there are lots of decisions and work still ahead.
For the first time I “see” this house as a whole place, and in doing so, can also see your design vision even where it’s not fully realized. Of course you feel blah when you first put in a hard finish, like a tile with too-dark grout, because your designs are achieved with muted color layering, multiple light textures, the shine of metals, and the geometry of styled vignettes. No way that’s going to pop at first. Brava. I love it and would love to live here.
Wow, it’s so nice to see it all together! I am really starting to see a cohesive vision, and it’s being really interesting to follow the process even when some of your choices felt a like perplexing to me at first. And wow, you have really put in a lot of work in this house. I will definitely be being the Real Simple reveal to see it all styled.
I am always amazed at how much light you have in your space. I live in the Portland Metro as well and my space looks like a cave. Can’t wait to see the shoot in the magazine this fall.
WOW! This farmhouse is beautiful! Great job on this project. I really love the colours you chose for each space.
I was so excited to read this post. I love seeing all the progress and changes you make. It all looks fabulous really! I’m wondering about the Swedish hutch? Have you found a home for it? Maybe someone has asked already in the comments. Sorry if I haven’t seen it.
Me. Too.🤔
Enjoying your journey! Your home is lovely. All will be o.k. Protect your privacy and your children, above all. Have fun!
Your home is so beautiful and will be a great source of inspiration for so many of us who love your style and color choices!
Love the wallpaper in your daughter’s room so much! Makes me happy every time I see it. You mentioned maybe adding crown moulding in there. Just a thought on that: when I see crown moulding in just one room in an old house, my first thought is that the house shifted and created cracking along the ceiling, and the crown moulding is there to cover it up. I’m sure you all shored up the foundation in the renovation, so I’d hesitate to add moulding that might create the impression that the house has structural issues.
It’s so fun to see the updates, and your process (in an authentic way, too)!
You have done a lot! It’s all turning out to be amazing.
Side note, I love your mountain house SO much,
and the minimalism, but that’s just me. But I get that magazines like different things for shoots.
As far as the fireplace conundrum goes, how about simplifying the lines? Build out and taper towards the ceiling. Cancel the mantle and the business of the brick. Simple plaster surface.
First of all, you know you are your worst critic. Your posts are why I love design so much. Some of your choices feel like you are in my head. Your kitchen is perfection. I could go on an on about all the other rooms and what I love so much. I am excited to see the guest room with Rebecca Atwood fabric, the bench from Thos Moser and the custom framed plaid. So many great ideas! I appreciate how much work you put into these posts and how much you anguish over decisions. I’m sure everyone identifies with these dilemmas. I can’t wait for more!!!!!
Thank YOU for providing must needed escape comraderie and inspiration for all of us! Can’t wait to see the feature!!
I absolutely love the new sunroom credenza, but it is out of my price range…anyone have suggestions for something very similar but lower priced?
Maybe try doing an image search with google lens, you’ll probably see a bunch of similar pieces at different price points. Good luck!
I think it all looks so good! Congratulations! Excited to see the other updates.
Loved seeing everything together, and as others have said the sheer scope of work really hit me for the first time. It’s all truly beautiful and cohesive! To me the through-lines are the clean classic permanent finishes—all made with gorgeous natural materials—, the varied but harmonious shades of blues, pinks and neutrals, all with similar depths of hue (not sure if my terminology is right but you get the gist), and eclectic high-quality furnishings/decor with an artisanal feel-a sense of substance and subtle, organic texture. The vibe is so fresh, light, authentic and interesting, while also feeling peaceful and a tad earthy. Which is exactly how I’d describe Emily. I can’t wait to see it come fully together, but will also genuinely miss following along on this adventure when it’s complete.
But then, we have another design journey with the older, original Victorian house!!
Scrolling through here and seeing your home brings me so much joy. I can only imagine how you feel living in this delightful home!
The tile in this entire home is so dreamy! I love the soft blues, taupey roses, and just all of the colors. Its hard to pinpoint my favorite room, because they are all so beautiful. Would you consider a mantel stained the same color as your other woodwork? If its too much to redo the fireplace surround with new brick, I wonder if you could tile it?
I am loving all your rooms so much! Living vicariously through you, as I would love to have a house like this to decorate!! So fun and amazing!
Thank you for the update Emily! I SO enjoyed this.
Your work is stunning and seeing all the rooms together is a real visual treat.
And as a reader/follower, I feel more caught-up too! So this is really nice.
I am SO excited for your principal bed and bath reveals!