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The Link Up: Emily’s Inspirational Follow (Not Design Related…Curious?), The Rug Most Of Our Team Bought, And 50% Off A Very Good Lamp
It’s August…already??? Well, welcome to the first day of August, everyone. We’re here and we’ve made it. So let’s keep it simple and start it off right…here’s your link up for today!
This week’s home tour is a beautiful Fire Island home with lots of gorgeous wood elements and just-right natural light. The homeowners, Gabe Brotman and Thomas Gensemer turned this getaway cottage into their dream home, perfect for hosting friends and family. We love the warm wood that encompasses the entirety of the floors, walls, and ceiling & how they mixed it with bright, colorful queer-themed art. This home underwent a MAJOR renovation and truly came out on top. 10/10 recommend browsing through!
From Emily: An inspirational follow: I thought that Adam Grant was a household name until I realized that nobody I know knew of him except for those who listen to Armchair Expert. He’s an organizational psychologist who specializes in leadership and business, specifically for those wanting to attract and retain younger Millennial or Gen Z employees. I learn SO MUCH from him (Instagram and podcast) and he generally inspires me to be a better person/boss/planet dweller. It’s a work in progress, obviously, but I feel like I have an expert source to rely on that has very forward and fresh ideas. If you are in any sort of leadership role I think you’d benefit from his words (plus he’s funny and smart, and generally interesting to listen to).
Also from Emily: Sarah Sherman Samuel revealed her guest bath a while back and I’m just still so in love. It’s just full of risks and fun and TOTALLY SARAH. Between the marble around the sconce and the checkerboard pattern she really went for it and yet it totally works with the rest of her house (I’m obsessed with her basement kitchen).
From Albie: If you know me, you know I have two bedding non-negotiables — I love neutral & textured, and I am team duvet all day! Thank you Justina for this duvet that was clearly designed just for me. The black on off-white print is so simple yet so chic. Total boutique hotel or cozy Airbnb vibes! And as a duvet set… so I can wash and fold it with no hassles. Thank you, Justina!
From Jess: When I was visiting my hometown the other weekend, I clearly needed to go to the local antique mall (The Old Barn Antique Mall). To my delight my favorite candle scent was there in reed diffuser form! And it’s mini! It makes my bathroom smell so freaking good, looks really cute, and doesn’t add any extra heat to an already very hot summer. And no it wasn’t an antique but I did score some other awesome finds that I can’t wait to show you all:)
Also From Jess: The topic of this article written by designer, Leyden Lewis, is something I have been thinking about and unpacking over this past year as someone who helps run a design blog that wants to celebrate all kinds of styles. Now as someone who also loves design and writes about it for a living, I consider myself to have “good taste”. However, I know that concept is veeeeery rooted in the white European aesthetic and class systems. So with that knowledge, think it’s very important for all of us to continually check ourselves in how we define different designs and aesthetics as “good” or “bad” and this article really articulates why.
From Mallory: I’ve always wanted this lamp from Urban Outfitters but did I want it enough to spend $130 on it??? Not really. BUT I ended up finding the exact one for literally 50% cheaper at Ashley Home Store…it’s like $77 and then you can get an extra 10% off with the code FRIYAY10. Run don’t walk if you’ve been eyeing this lamp too!!!
If you’ve ever wished there was an extremely easy way to find black-owned businesses to shop from it’s here!! A site and app called Miiriya is your one-stop shop for finding awesome black-owned businesses and continually adding more. Let’s keep walking that talk and support.
From Caitlin: AHH. The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is finally open to the public and OH MY GOSH, the Theragun is on sale! If you’ve never tried one out, they absolutely live up to the hype. I’ve used the Pro before (it usually costs like $600) at workout classes here in LA (because like…of course studios here would have $600 muscle massagers available in the lobby for your post-class enjoyment) but the Prime included in this kit is just as good IMO – it’s what I’d personally recommend to folks looking to bring home a Theragun. Seeing the Prime packaged with the Wave (a lil 8-shaped cutie that I’ve always wanted to try!) and a pain relief stick makes me STOKED as it’s such a good deal
From Ryann: I want this olive green scallop rug SO badly because it has two things that I am deeply into right now: classic green and scalloped edges. The detail is so special and I just know it’d be REALLY cute in my kitchen but is it weird that I think something this pretty shouldn’t be stepped on all day every day? I know that’s what rugs are for but damn, the pattern is so cute I almost wish it was a placemat instead. By the way, am I a little nuts for feeling bad for rugs because they get the most dirty by people’s shoes and feet?? Don’t worry you can tell me the truth. (PS: CAITLIN JUST TOLD ME SHE ALREADY BOUGHT THIS RUG LAST WEEK SO IT’S DOUBLE EHD-APPROVED!)
So that’s what we’ve got this week, thanks everyone for tuning in and we’ll be sure to do this again next Sunday! And the Sunday after that, and the Sunday after that…just put it in your calendars as an ongoing event :)
Opening Image Credit: Design by Gabe Brotman and Thomas Gensemer | Photo by Skyler Smith | via Clever
Big fan of Adam Grant over here too! Currently reading “Think Again”. I loved his interview on Armchair Expert. More recently, he was on the “Sharon Says So” podcast, and that episode was phenomenal as well. He was picking HER brain. Such a great listen:
Are you familiar with @sharonsaysso? If not, you are in for a treat. She teaches about government and is trying to bridge the gap between the political spectrum by sticking to facts while staying away from fear or anger based stances. Love that she keeps me informed and gives me reason for hope. She has become my first stop on IG:
Came here to say all of this! Sharon Says So is the best thing on the internet!!
Sharon is fantastic! She really has perfected how to share information in a way that isn’t polarizing.
Oh I want that diffuser, does anyone know the name of the candle that Emily‘s realtor suggested…….I can’t seem to find it, thanks in advance!?
Got the Theragun Mini for our anniversary (because if you say Theragun in conversation 3-4 times a day for a couple of months people finally get the hint – plan ahead folks!). It is AWESOME!!!!!
This week I learned about a NEW type of “sexism” which blew my mind (HINT it’s related to landscaping … but not the way you think it is): “Allergy season in North America has been the lengthiest and the most severe in decades, and experts say the millions of disproportionately male trees planted in urban areas are partly to blame for high pollen counts.”
BOOKS: Finished Fly Away by Kristin Hannah (the sequel to Firefly Lane). And started reading The Newcomer by Mary Kay Andrews.
SHOWS: We are almost done with Shrill on Hulu.
Thank you for the insightful and beautifully written Leyden Lewis article! I love his POV and style! and he states so well what I have been thinking for the last 10 years of ( WASP) Scandi style minimalism. His experience of invalidation also resonates so much with me for with what I went through – and go through – as a female creator and teacher…
Why? Why? Why does every conversation have to be reduced to some sort of injustice? He’s from the Caribbean, and when I’m vacationing in the islands I love the aesthetics of colour and design. When I’m in different countries in Europe, same thing. And if you want to bring your culture into your home, do it! Do you need the validation of others? But I live in a cold, northern, forested part of NA and ‘decorating’ in what I find is now an apparently classist, racist way, when I just thought it was congruent with the geographical setting and my personal taste of simplicity. The reductionist, nihilist woke philosophy seeks to destroy all lessons from the past instead of learning from them. God, the whining is exhausting.
Veronika, given that he states “I take zero issue with any culture’s idiosyncrasies” your reaction says more about you than about what he wrote. His comments are not in any way shape or form “reductionist, nihilist woke philosophy.”
Yup.
I was replying to kk’s take to the article. It says more about you response is a classic deflection.
Veronica I 110% agree that learning from the past is very important. If you care, here is some reading which explains my POV. Have a great day! (-:
AIRSPACE, a brilliant article :
HOW MINIMALISM IS ROOTED IN FACISM:
THE NEW MAXIMALISM:
RACISM IN MID CENTURY MODERNISM
The Racist Underbelly of Instagram Moodboards:
Why we need to start seeing the classical word in color:
Jess, I love that you’re a thinker, a questioner and a researcher. ?
Thanks for that article. I really do NOT like what others refer to as “luxe”… I call it “Magpie Syndrome.” Shiny, OTT, fancy soulless fluff. Me thinks I now understand why!
You guys!! This version of the rug is so much cheaper!!
This is in linewiyhyhe article from Jess…it takes it a little further, into the digital age and marketing.
Always so inspired when I saw someone else KEEP their cedar paneling intact and unpainted – hurrah! Looking forward to reading the article Jess linked to as well.