Casual Friday: Fall Decor, Soap Sets Roundup, Spending Billions of dollars, The Perfect (Affordable!) Oval Mirror, Dreamy Art and more!
September 27, 2019
Yesterday on Instagram stories, I shared decorating our kitchen for fall in real time. I really focused on creating an autumn feeling with practical items–apples, branches cut from outside, a cookbook opened to a fall recipe displayed on a stand. It was so fun sharing with all of you and the response was motivating. I’ll definitely do more of these!
But do you know what question I got the most? It was about our soap set by the sink! Haha. I got it awhile back and just refill it now since it’s still so stylish. I rounded up a few others at every price point (including some a plain amber bottle set your can label yourself with black label tape–so chic), along with some dispensers and even trays to place them on. A soap set is something you can buy once and refill over and over and over again and somehow everyone notices it. It adds so much to a space–a detail that is often looked over. 
Soap Sets 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10
Soap Dispensers 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10
Trays 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10
Other fun things this week!
• Your can go on a virtual shopping spree with Bill Gates’ money and it’s hilarious and eye-opening and insane.
• This must have cardigan is on sale. (I got a s/m)
• This podcast with relationship expert, John Gottman,was incredible and insightful. A must listen!
• Remember the huge round black mirror we had for our entry in our last home? Well, the same brand came out with an affordable oval one (oval mirrors are allllll the rage right now) and it’s so good. We scooped one up for Greta’s bathroom.
• Dreamy hotel that just furthers my confidence in a dark exterior.
• You must go follow Colin King. He’s an incredibly talented interior stylist and designer. I somehow only recently discovered his account and it’s refreshingly moody.
• We have always loved filling our home with art, but sold a lot of pieces with our last house and I’ve missed the character that art adds so much. I’ve been on the lookout for special pieces for our home now and then the The Vintage Rug Shop goes and launches art this week! I keep sending Chris listings–what an amazing collection.
What do you think?
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I love the Bill Gates thing (so fun!) but would love it even more if there were social causes also! “High school level education for all the women in Africa,” “tiny homes for the unhomed population in the Bay Area,” “immigration assistance for 100 people,” etc.
I’m a big fan of the Gates foundation and all the causes they support, but it’s also important for us to think about the systematic distribution of wealth in America and the world. The wealth is absolutely unfathomable, and therefore people don’t vote to raise taxes on the super-rich (are any of us going to get there, ever? the vast majority of people who wholeheartedly dissent from these taxes? nope!). Sorry, I don’t want to make it political (it’s supposed to be fun!). :)
What soup cookbook did put put in your range nook? I’ve been searching for a good one!
I read the title “soap sets roundup” and immediately thought you were talking about Soap Opera sets (i.e. Days of Our Lives, etc.). I was thinking, what a great idea, they all have great tv sets. I don’t actually watch any but anytime I happen to come across one I can’t help but check out their houses/offices, etc.
But the actual soap sets are great too…
Could you do a blog post on ways to nail moody interiors? I love them so much (uhm, hi phase 1 kitchen) but am timid to take the plunge because I’ve been in a few dark spaces that just fall flat and don’t work.
Speaking of art – the Art Institute of Chicago now has FREE downloads of high quality digitized art – so many famous pieces from many different eras. Thought I’d share while you’re on the hunt for some good pieces!
Hello Julia,
I wanted to see if you could share details on the towel cubby area in the kitchen? Was that already there or did y’all add it? Do the towel rods slide out? etc. etc.
Thanks,
Shara
It was actually there! But I’ve seen the towel rods sold separately so I’m sure you could add it to any cabinet.
That podcast link is broke , do you mind just saying which podcast it is? I would love to listen!
It’s Experts on Expert.
Just saw it on Instagram – it’s actually called Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard, he does special shows with other experts that he calls Experts on Experts with (name of expert). For anyone else confused! Link still not working for me. :)
Armchair Expert is the BEST. both the celebrity episodes and experts on expert are great – can’t get enough of Dax and Monica.
I just found Colin King a couple days ago after an article came out about his styling the Ikea catalogue. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t seen it before! Amazing work.
That sweater is so cute, have you shopped that brand before? I’ve never heard of it?
I have another sweater from them (a mock neck windowpane pattern) and I love it!
Julia! This is SO incredibly forward of me (and a little embarrassing), but alas. I saw your note about looking for artwork…I’m an abstract painter and I feel like my style would go great with your decor! If you’re ever interested in a painting, I’d love to chat with you about it. :)
I’ve been a longtime reader (since right before you bought the house before this one), and I’ve so enjoyed watching y’all evolve. Thanks for all that you do!
Love the soap dispensers! I wish it weren’t so hard to find foaming dispensers that aren’t eye sores…. I finally found an amber one I can live with at Walmart of all places and have put it all over my house… but I wish someone would fill this void for those of us that prefer foaming soap for our families! If you ever see some please share!!
Can you give the title of the podcast? The link isn’t working for me for some reason. Thank you!
The Podcast is Experts on Expert and the episode is John Gottman
Literally clicked every link you referenced- such good things!!! Loving all the soap sets! I will definitely be scooping one up soon! What is your go-to soap refill? We use a lot of hand soap around here (Hello three little boys!!!) and always prefer foaming, but never find pretty dispensers that foam. Do you have a go-to for refilling your pretty set- even non-foam soap? Thanks for sharing such amazing inspiration!!!
I usually order bulk from Grove!
If you search for “glass foaming soap dispenser,” you might find something you like. I have two and refill them with diluted liquid Dr. Bronner’s (1 part soap to 4 or 5 parts water).
Thank you so much! So helpful!!