Design Secrets From Emily Henderson

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

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November 25, 2014

From: Emily Henderson

Show: 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

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

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

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.

From: Emily Henderson

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.

From: Emily Henderson

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.

Gender Friendly

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

From: Emily Henderson

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

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

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

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: Emily Henderson

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.

Secrets From a Stylist

Design Secrets From Emily Henderson

Related To:

Shop This Look

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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