One of the all-time greats, Brady Tolbert, has moved on from EHD and is no longer with us. This post might be a sad one for many of you (as it was for me) but you have to remind yourself of what I do all the time: “Brady is not actually dead, he’s just not working for EHD anymore.” He lives in LA! I can still see him for lunch/drinks, invite him to EHD events, I can touch his flesh and it will in fact be warm and I can even watch his life on social media. That’s the good news. But after five wonderful years, this guy has found an opportunity that he was ready for and I am extremely happy for him (I promise…I wouldn’t write a big FAREWELL TO BRADY post if I was upset in any way, I’m far too transparent for that).
Yes, I could have gone all mushy, but I thought it would be EVEN MORE FUN if we took a trip down Tolbert memory lane. Shall we? Seven years ago (I’m not sure exactly when, though) while Orlando and I were shopping at the Rose Bowl for a magazine shoot, this young Brady stopped us and asked to take a picture. He loved our show and said some really nice things before letting us go on our way to shop.
A few months later. he applied for a job and after Ginny did the first round of interviews, she said “I think we found our person.” At that time, Orlando no longer worked with me (he went out on his own and has obviously created an incredible brand and we are still GREAT friends) and the company was just Ginny and I. Crazy…such simpler times. I interviewed him and I actually remembered him from the flea market which is rare because a lot of people come up to me there for photos (of which I welcome and love).
I learned in that interview that he was raised Mormon, too, and I’ll go ahead and say that I love a former mormon (and a current one). He was obviously qualified in other ways—he was an architecture school grad, had a variety of other usable skills, had so much style, plus Ginny and I just really liked him. And when you have a super small company working out of your basement, “liking” your team was non-negotiable.
We had so much fun together (GINNY I MISS YOU, TOO, AND NOW REALIZE I NEVER WROTE A POST LIKE THIS FOR YOU even though you also worked for me for 5 years…you are still missed). And while his job was “assistant,” he really helped in all aspects of the business because he’s the type of guy that will just do anything, with a good attitude. (HOT TIP: The key to success is working hard with a smile).
So many walls were painted. So many pieces of furniture were carried up those 32 stairs. We did everything from soup to nuts before we had a larger team and more help. He always said yes with a smile and nothing was beneath him. He should seriously write a book on work ethic, because he’s an expert in it.
But to make up for it, we also had SO MUCH FUN.
The team grew and grew, starting with Sara who actually came about a year after Brady, the last year has brought on SIX others, but Brady was OUR GUY. He was like the company dad. Up until recently, he was the only guy. He was serious when I needed him to be, but could also match my work energy and need for fun. He was ALWAYS down for a good time and had such positive energy. We miss our Brady!
He wore SO many hats at one point as the editorial director, art director, writer, designer and general COO.
Last year he KILLED it at the Portland project—a design install and shoot that almost broke us (physically). He was up there for what felt like months, more than anyone else, and he was so dedicated to the project, shooting from 8 am to 8 pm (when they lost light). He really pushed himself (and me) in creativity and style for that project and I could not have done it without him.
By now, you’ve probably already asked yourself 12 times “wait, but what happened? where did he go?!?” Here goes:
Brady and I had been talking about his next steps, career-wise and while I REALLY wanted him to stay, I also could tell he had an itch. I begged him to work for himself and have me hire him as a producer on big jobs (thus giving him freedom to do his own thing but keeping him around :)). But then he told me that he got a job offer he couldn’t refuse. My first thought was honestly “that’s amazing!” forgetting that that meant he would leave me. We were both crying and he said something like”it just feels like a breakup” and I said (or thought, I don’t really remember) “No, this is an actual SUCCESS STORY”.
To have someone of his ambition work for an individual person, let alone someone with nary a work-org policy, for five years is actually so rare these days. Five years of greatness is better than none. 🙂
So my Dear Brady.
To say you will be missed is quite an understatement. But what’s even more difficult to express is how much I have always and will always appreciate and value your support, hard work, work ethic, good attitude, creativity, style, assistance, advice, comedy, general consult and friendship over the last five years. Did I mention support and advice??? AND CREATIVITY??? We really guerilla-styled our way into digital media and sponsored content and I feel like we helped raise each other in this insane world of social media. It actually feels like WAY more than 5 years.
When you started, we worked out of my basement on an hourly wage without any benefits. You’ve seen me pumping breast milk (multiple places, multiple years), you’ve helped me pick out outfits for shoots, I’ve seen you wear 500 neck bandanas and go from never having worked out a day in your life to becoming quite a muscular gym rat. I watched you fall in love and you watched me raise two small kids. My kids know you and are going to miss you so much. A lot of life moments shared together. And now while the company has grown up and the vibe is still the same…but your energy can not be replaced.
In short, you will be missed, but myself and the EHD crew will be watching your success (and cheering you on).
Don’t worry. I have an amazing group of smart, creative people who are so excited for 2019 and ready to step into that man’s shoes.
So Brady…the good news…
…what this really means is that I’m no longer your boss…I’m now just your actual friend.
(And P.S…Bobby Berk, if you aren’t nice to my good friend Brady, well, I’ll ruin you:))
For those of you who want to relive some “best of Brady” projects and see his beautiful home, here you go…
Top row, left to right: Brady’s tiny vintage bathroom, his full apartment kitchen reveal (with that amazing DIY vinyl tile flooring), his graphic and moody living room.
Bottom row, left to right: His refreshed living room, the bedroom reveal with the DIY tufted headboard that broke the internet, and the time he turned his three-year-old nieces bedroom into the Scandi inspired room of her dreams.
THANK YOU, BRADY. I’ll love and appreciate you and our years together forever and ever and ever. 🙂 xx
I have a very special place in my heart for Brady because many years back, I think he must have just started at EHD, I was a huge fan from Melbourne, Australia and was in L.A. for a week with my husband who was working. I had a spare day and a car and decided I’d try my luck, offering to help you guys out if you needed a schlepper for the day. To my absolute surprise and delight Brady responded very promptly and kindly to my email. Turns out Emily was out of town and you didn’t need my ‘fan girl’ assistance, but I was so chuffed to hear back from him. Best of luck in the next phase of your career Brady.
So sweet, KathrynJ! I love the story.
OMG, he works with Bobby Berk now?! So we will still see him, maybe on TV?
Bye bye, Brady. I will miss you!
I know!!! I have to admit I was so sad to see this post, because I love Brady (and similarly miss Ginny and Mel) but OMG Bobby Berk!! This sounds like a dream job! We need updates once Brady is settled!
Best of luck to Brady — looking forward to more creativity and beauty from him! Emily, you’re a great mentor/boss — encouraging and supportive! Surround yourself with creative, talented people and allow them to shine! xoxo
I feel like it’s always been obvious that you two got along so well and your friendship has been fun to follow from the very beginning. I love hearing how you met and how things have changed. I’m sure it’s a hard change but at least it’s a happy one for both parties and you can still be great friends. Best wishes, Brady! Please come back and guest blog like Orlando does!
Best of luck in your new adventures, Brady! I cannot wait to see where this new challenge takes you! 🙂
OMG Bobby Berk!? Go Brady, what an exciting opportunity. You’ll be missed!
I remember when he was first hired. Hard to believe it was that many years ago. It’s been fun watching his evolution. Best of luck Brady!
Congratulations to Brady. He has such a wonderful spirit and I’ll miss seeing his talent and enthusiasm here. How can someone follow him?
He is on Instagram and has his own website too 🙂
Congratulations, Brady!! You’ll be missed here, but we’ll be fans of your work forever <3
So happy to hear that your next step is going to be an excellent one, and that you and Emily can move into “real” friend stage now. Leaving on great terms is one of the best feelings you can have as a professional, and you have earned every ounce of praise in this post. Thanks for creating lovely content for us for all these years, and for helping Em build the right team to keep making this work for years to come. You’re a builder and a dreamer and I’m so very excited for your next adventure!
I must be the only person who had to Google “Bobby Berk” (I’ve watched the show, though, just didn’t know his name). I’m sad that Brady is going – I loved his work!
5 stages of Brady grief When you find out he’s leaving EHD:
1. Shock: What??? No!!!!! Why???? He can’t!!!!
2. Nostalgia: I remember when he was hired. Remember the bleach blonde hair… I totally stole all the ideas from his rental kitchen remodel.
3. Sadness: I’m actually going to miss this human that I’ve never actually met.
4. Acceptance: I’m happy if Emily is happy. I’m sure he’s going to do awesome at whatever he’s going to do.
5. Hyperventilation: Brady’s working for Queer Eye. BRADY’S WORKING FOR QUEER EYE. BRADY’S. WORKING. FOR. QUEER EYE!!!!!!! [Breathes heavy into a bag]
Lol! This is great.
hahahahaha so so true.
YES ALL 5 STAGES OF GRIEF OMFG BRADY AND QUEER EYE REALLY THREW A CURVEBALL!!
I think we will all miss Brady’s influence here and I hope, as with Orlando, we’ll get to hear from him occasionally! Best of luck to you in your new job!
On a separate note – I was so excited to use the new Rooms and other resources here to source some wallpaper, but the Rooms section isn’t helpful in that way and when I do a search I just get about four very specific results of some singular wallpapers that have no images, and absolutely no post results to lead me to all the great wallpaper posts you have done. Just an FYI and now I’m off to see if Google can provide better results for your website than I’m getting within your web.site. As I have absolutely none of the skills needed to build a website or it’s search engine, please know I’m not bitching about it, just letting you know.
Shoot I’m sorry to hear that’s not more intuative or helpful. We’ll take a look and see how we can continue to improve this in future roll outs!
Congrats Brady, you will do great!
Congrats, Emily, on creating a business that has fostered so much talent.
So beautifully written, Emily. What a wonderful tribute to amazing Brady. Here’s wishing him tremendous success in his next endeavor. He will be missed.
Brady is my absolute fave. Looking forward to following him in his future endeavors!
Brady is the best, and this is such a great tribute to him!!
Oh man I didn’t think this would make me so sad/sentimental! All the best Brady (and EHD Team) it was was such a pleasure seeing your great work and reading your super great and fun posts for the last years – you will be missed! <3
I’ve always felt kind of connected to Brady since he grew up in Salt Lake City and is a former Mormon, too. His personality seemed infused in the team. I actually feel pretty gutted that he’s leaving! (Online communities!!) But I’m SO excited for his next venture. Big congratulations to him.
My first reaction to Brady was nooo he can’t leave!! But after reading the blog post I’m really happy for him and wish him the best of luck. How can I be sad, worried and happy for someone I’ve never met but read about for the last five years? I’m gonna miss Brady and hopefully he will come back to do more of his apartment reveals that I fell in love with all these years.
This is bringing tears to my eyes! What a great post. We’ll miss you, Brady! I knew he was a master when I saw [the post with] his kitchen with the checkerboard tiles. Beautiful design.
I did not know that Brady was raised Mormon. That connection between you and him makes it fun/interesting.
All these pics were great. Best of luck, Brady!
BOBBY BERK – I love. BRADY – I love even more. I am so excited to see Brady’s career grow and shift.
Emily – do you pour fairy dust on your employees?! Can I have some?
Being in the UK, I’ve only heard of Bobby Berk through the Chaise Lounge podcast. What a great opportunity for Brady , and here’s hoping that it brings him further fantastic opportunities and success.
Nooooo! I mean, yay Brady! But I’ll miss him for sure.
Happy trails, Brady! Will look for you on netflix!
Brady was wonderful!!! Wait… yes he’s not dead. He is wonderful and will have a great career ahead of him! Good luck out there Brady!
LOVELY…best of luck to you, Brady!
This brought me to tears. You’re such a genuine person, you honestly deserve all your success. Best of luck in your career Brady!
This is a lovely and heartwarming post about wonderful Brady. But where does it say what he’s going on to do?