2025 was a giant 12 months for EHD, filled with extra “ups” than “classes” (which is all you’ll be able to actually ask for), and I really feel enormously grateful to nonetheless be right here. We’re closing out the fifteenth 12 months of the weblog, which is wild (that’s most of my grownup life!). A few of you have got been hanging out with me since I used to be 30 and watched me win Designstar, host a TV present, have two youngsters, purchase our first house (then transfer thrice), write two books, explode the enterprise (in each a superb and unhealthy method), reign it again in and y’all, in case you learn incessantly you actually do know me. I may cry once I give it some thought in a macro method. Thanks so, a lot. This 12 months felt filled with a lot onerous work and enjoyable, with my group killing it to create a lot each day content material on so many platforms. We now have programs that basically work (amid a ton of obligatory flexibility), which is exceptional since we’re so lean (me + my 5 full-time crew + Kaitlin, who shoots every part, and Arlyn, who freelances and contributes weekly). It was a document 12 months of reveals (forty!) and numerous private development (what else is mid-life for?).
In January, we added our implausible social media supervisor, Marlee, to the group, which was the lacking piece that all of us wanted. Marlee rounds out the superior Portland crew of Gretchen (producer and stellar proper hand) and, in fact, our fantastic photographer Kaitlin, together with Jess (editorial director), Mal (electronic mail advertising and social supervisor), and Caitlin (partnerships and income), who’re killing it from LA. Our workflow actually fell into place mid-year with the extra filled-out group, which felt sooo good to all of us. Our numbers even grew, which is thrilling to see after 15 years in. And whereas there are at all times some failings and learnings (life inside digital media is wild, of us), we’ve got such a superb rhythm with a dialed-in group that cares a lot, loves the work, and is prepared to pivot or attempt new issues on a regular basis (or help me once I say no to alternatives). I really feel extraordinarily grateful for every of them every single day and simply actually hope that I can proceed to supply profession development for so long as doable (I would like them to remain right here! However extra importantly, I would like them to thrive individually, so I really feel fortunate every single day they decide to me and permit EHD to be the place they work). Like Ester Perel says, “the standard of your life is the standard of your relationships,” so the love contained in the EHD group actually is the most important spotlight:) However let’s wrap up all the opposite stuff anyway!
Room Service Couch Shoot
We began the 12 months with our Room Service couch line shoot, which we did at three completely different areas, over 8 days. It was A LOT and so enjoyable (Gretch killed it at producing). I discovered quite a bit from this (I most likely overshot and overspent – whoops), however liked that we did all of it in-house and created such lovely images and movies. The tariff state of affairs made us transfer factories from Mexico to Texas, which required new samples, additional shoots, and extra journeys for approval. However we’re proud they’re made in America and may get to you a lot sooner. And due to you all who’ve left critiques – it makes an enormous distinction in each the Wayfair algorithm and in gross sales.
Associates & Household Makeovers
What a present to get to assist my family and friends whereas additionally doing my “job”. Two of my life-long greatest buddies, Robyn and Nicole, dwell up right here (which was an enormous motive I moved again), however we’re all so busy with a number of youngsters and large careers, so by designing their properties, I received an excuse to spend extra time with them and actually combine myself into their schedules extra usually. And I really couldn’t be happier with how each of them turned out.
Robyn’s front room turned out painfully cozy – I used to be so jealous. Each time I stroll in, I believe, “rattling, that is such a reasonably room.“
Nicole’s house, I imply, what an honor to have the ability to type and beautify it. They love nice design and have been prepared to do virtually every part I mentioned. This is identical group that owns The Carly (which Max designed), so that you undoubtedly can inform they care about design.
Appears clear to me from each tasks that I’m actually into this blue + inexperienced + rosey/burgundy colour palette. Extra family and friends tasks coming at you in 2026:) However man, these two have been so beautiful.
Renovating The Garages
Most likely essentially the most life-changing challenge we did this 12 months for the enterprise was transforming our classic garages, turning them into essentially the most epic prop and furnishings storage (and studio).
When you didn’t see that full reveal (with epic earlier than and afters), please go test it out. And an enormous due to my brother’s firm, Afore Building, for GC-ing this challenge. It concerned way more logistics than I had predicted, and it’s simply so rad and capabilities so properly.
Ending The Yard
I’m unsure what else to say in addition to I’m so grateful for this house and property, and I really like sharing it. We actually pulled the bandaid off and determined to complete (virtually) all of the messy stuff on the identical time (out of doors kitchen, landscaping, pickleball courtroom), and I couldn’t consider it was executed in time to take pleasure in summer season.
Whereas I’ve persistently feared about my youngsters rising up with this abundance, this yard was used and abused by a whole bunch of individuals this summer season, and felt like a neighborhood hub. And celebrating and connecting with neighbors, buddies, and household feels fairly dang good.
Two Epic Crew Retreats
Being long-distance is tough it doesn’t matter what relationship you might be in, so I actually attempt to get us all collectively 2-3 occasions a 12 months to remain related. A lot of the group got here up for the couch shoot to be part of it in January (Caitlin couldn’t as a result of household stuff), after which we headed out to The Carly in Might and Manzanita in September (each are rentable, BTW, and unimaginable locations).
Man, I’m getting so sentimental. It was simply such a stacked 12 months, and I couldn’t do it with out these ladies whom I care about a lot. We vision-boarded, shopped, deliberate, brainstormed, cooked, drank, and watched rubbish TV.
It would by no means be misplaced on me how fortunate I’m to work with these gifted, enjoyable ladies, and for thus a few years now. Very excited for our 2026 retreats (considering Joshua tree in winter and who is aware of the place in spring and fall – any strategies?).
We Lastly Began The Visitor Cottage
It was time. And at first it felt daunting, however now that I reframed it as a low-pressure, experimental design challenge the place I get to study (virtually) each commerce and craft, I’m so excited to get extra into it. When you haven’t caught up on this, it’s the 1850s authentic farmhouse that wants all of the issues. Learn these weblog posts if you wish to deep dive into the challenge:
The River Home Reveal!! In A Print Journal!
I labored on my brother’s home for 4 years, and never solely is it executed, however we received an 8-page unfold in a serious print journal, Higher Properties and Gardens. Print media shouldn’t be useless, of us. And I’m honored to be in it. It’s at all times actually nice for enterprise (my model companions actually worth IRL mentions in print) and simply feels particular. My mother and father have been fairly delighted to see two of their youngsters in {a magazine} collectively.
It felt like such an important end result of a lot onerous work and enjoyable. Now, we nonetheless have their sons’ room to do (and perhaps the pantry and entrance patio), and also you’ll see some partnership content material being printed early subsequent 12 months, however for essentially the most half, it’s a wrap. I completely liked doing this challenge, particularly with my brother and sister-in-law. I do know that it wasn’t terribly relatable (budget-wise), so we tried onerous to actually present the method, with design content material that felt extra common or private to my brother and his household. I discovered a lot – about designing a brand new construct, and about my very own design course of. Among the best items of this job (or any inventive profession, actually) is that you just’ll by no means design the identical factor twice, so you might be at all times studying, gathering expertise, making errors (some preventable, some unpredictable), and that course of makes the job really feel so wealthy and fulfilling. Particularly when it’s over, and also you like it (thank god!).
Our AI Remark Monitoring
Lastly, a motive to rejoice AI! A private spotlight for me was the flexibility to learn and reply to feedback once more, now that we had AI expertise that filtered out something too mean-spirited. We’ve monitored and accredited feedback for years, however I’d nonetheless unintentionally see the “unapproved” feedback within the backend once I went in to answer to the great feedback (as you do if you find yourself logged in). So this filter put the “mean-spirited” feedback in a folder that Caitlin (our non-AI human) would then go in and manually publish (or delete). The filter wasn’t excellent, and plenty of of my replies even received filtered out at first, however it was a night-and-day distinction for my anxiousness. And I do know that not all of you agreed with this, which I get, however what I can’t specific sufficient is that whereas I’m very not excellent (I’m fairly conscious of my faults and my privilege – and the 2 are very correlated), I attempt actually onerous to be a internet optimistic on this planet (and so does my group). And if/once I’m riddled with anxiousness, this weblog suffers – I grow to be so guarded that it’s a shell of what it was, or I dive into an avoidance spiral and barely present up in any respect. There’s a motive why most bloggers have moved on or burned out, and the negativity on the web from strangers is excessive on the record. So that is to guard our psychological well being (my group’s included) and hold us centered on the work, connecting with you all, which we take pleasure in immensely. And don’t fear, I’m not dwelling in a bubble, surrounded by sure individuals. We obtain suggestions and shift on a regular basis (and a few of it is vitally, very uncomfortable for me to listen to, however I’m at all times grateful as soon as I course of it in a wholesome method). However it is a place that I would like individuals to take pleasure in coming to, together with us. We wish individuals to really feel higher whereas right here, not worse. It’s a house design weblog with, sure, numerous my private life, which could possibly be triggering (and I get it, I’ve individuals on the web that set off me, too), so this tech has made me in a position to benefit from the dialog. It’s prefer it’s 2010 once more 🙂 Anyway, I don’t wish to harp on it far more, however it’s so good to keep away from the few unhealthy apples, and so I can deal with most of you might be so fantastic, well-meaning, and filled with useful strategies or constructive criticism. Thanks a lot for being right here.
Some Learnings…
Positive, our rug-line received cancelled (which I wrote about right here), and we received hacked so many occasions that I needed to put money into urgently rebuilding and migrating the location on the fly (which was tense and dear). I discovered quite a bit about myself and the enterprise from each of these conditions, which could be very humbling after which empowering. And a few content material flopped whereas others went viral – such a thriller! Our YouTube video collection on the visitor cottage was so good and enjoyable for my part (Gretchen and Marlee tag-teamed there, and I LOVED what they created). And but the views have been low (for the period of time it took to create), so we’re consistently making an attempt to know “why” and enhance, pivot, or simply let go and transfer on. I’ll by no means really feel absolutely like I do know what I’m doing, and yearly is simply so completely different. And if I’m being trustworthy, I’ve dove even additional into spirituality, which has helped me immensely really feel extra aligned and related to the world, my household, my creativity, you, and naturally, the Universe or God. I’ve felt far more content material, letting the opposite stuff fall away. And let’s face it, the world feels so bleak proper now, with a lot struggling that not appreciating our blessings and practising gratefulness can be felony. However going into a brand new 12 months, you KNOW I’ve some resolutions, enhancements, issues I’m excited to see if I can shift in my life.
Anyway, thanks a lot for being right here and permitting us to nonetheless be right here. We actually, actually like it, and we all know that it’s a privilege to like what you accomplish that a lot. Whereas there isn’t a excellent job (and all of us have annoying duties that we dread or keep away from), we all know that with the ability to create design content material for a large, supportive viewers is such a present. And the truth that we’re nonetheless right here has a lot to do with you, the each day readers who assist us really feel supportive even because the running a blog world continues to vanish. We made it 15 years, of us. January 1 marks the start of 12 months 16, and I’m actually, actually excited to see the place it leads. A lot love, Emily.
Opening Picture Credit: Photograph by Kaitlin Inexperienced | From: Saying Our First Furnishings Assortment: ROOM Service by Emily Henderson
