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Design Secrets From Emily Henderson

November 25, 2014

From: Emily Henderson

Show: Secrets From a Stylist

HGTV Design Star winner Emily Henderson shares her favorite decorating tips on Secrets From a Stylist.

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Dining Room With Black and White Toile Wallpaper

From: Emily Henderson and Secrets From a Stylist

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Enjoy the Process

When it comes to designing your own home, don't over think it. Go out and take pictures. Visualize things, have fun, play around!

From: Emily Henderson and Secrets From a Stylist

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Accessible Inspiration

Create a mood board to get the design you want. Pictures of furniture, colors, accessories, pattern, swatches and thoughts are great to have as a quick reference when designing.

From: Emily Henderson and Secrets From a Stylist

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Smart Upholstery

If you're going to spend a lot of money reupholstering something, use a neutral fabric so it'll stand the test of time. Then, add in trends, pattern and texture with pillows.

From: Emily Henderson and Secrets From a Stylist

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Perfect Vignettes

Accessories look better in threes or odd numbers. Also, don't be afraid to create your vignette in the store before you buy.

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Money-Smart Pillows

Save money on pillows by sewing cases yourself. You don't have to pay for upholstery weight fabric for pillows, you can find fabric in the clothing sections that's a lot cheaper and will still work for pillows.

Leather Furniture And Gray Accent Wall In Contemporary Living Room

From: Secrets From a Stylist and Secrets From a Stylist

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The Ideal Height

Traditionally, wall art is hung at eye level. When working with multiple pieces, like the art and antlers in this space, treat the entire composition as one piece of art and make sure the middle of the composition is at eye level.

Gray and Yellow Bedding With Graphic Wallpaper and Art

From: Emily Henderson and Secrets From a Stylist

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Gender Friendly

The best way to balance masculine and feminine design styles is to choose feminine patterns in a masculine palette or vice versa.

Mismatched Vintage Frames With Art and Butterflies

From: Emily Henderson and Secrets From a Stylist

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Frame It Up

An easy way to save money when framing is to pick up vintage frames when scouring flea markets, antique stores or estate sales. To give them a professional look, have mats cut at a framing shop.

From: Emily Henderson and Secrets From a Stylist

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Picture-Perfect Displays

For an eclectic collected look on bookcases, create balance without symmetry. Pepper books, objects and artwork evenly throughout the bookcases.

From: Emily Henderson and Secrets From a Stylist

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Paint It or Not?

Emily's rule for painting furniture: if the pieces are over 50 years old, don't do it. You'll lose the charm and age that makes the piece beautiful. Since these Windsor chairs were only 20 years old, she decided to give them a glossy black makeover to make them truly special.

From: Emily Henderson and Secrets From a Stylist

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The Trick to Headboards

If you're going to create a DIY upholstered headboard, choose a solid fabric. It's a lot easier than making sure the pattern is perfectly straight. Also, have an extra person on hand to help you pull the fabric and staple into place.

From: Secrets From a Stylist and HGTV Design Star

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White is Always Right

If you're worried you're not going to like a piece in a few year, just buy it in white. It'll always work with your future designs.

Design Secrets From Emily Henderson

Enjoy the Process

Accessible Inspiration

Smart Upholstery

Perfect Vignettes

Money-Smart Pillows

The Ideal Height

Gender Friendly

Frame It Up

Picture-Perfect Displays

Paint It or Not?

The Trick to Headboards

White is Always Right

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