Emily Henderson is a professional prop stylist, so it comes as no surprise that her own home is very lovely to look at — her talent for creating beautiful rooms is wonderfully apparent and for HGTV viewers, familiar. Her design skills are on display on HGTV's Design Star, where she has made it very far in the competition, currently she is one of the final two contestants.
On the eve of the big Design Star finale (airing this Sunday 8/22), we're happy to share this peek at Emily's home (a 600 square foot one bedroom in a Melrose Place type building "sans the drama") and some of her thoughts on style, design indulgences and favorite sources.
Style: Weird, eclectic and modern, but loose and casual. All vintage all the time. And as far as color, I mix a lot of blues, grays and whites with natural materials like wood and leather. The blues keep it modern and masculine, while the leather and wood bring in warmth. My furniture tends to be straight and masculine while my accessories are more curvy and feminine. I don't plan it that way, its just my instinct.
Indulgences: I'm frugal by nature, but my biggest purchase ever was my navy blue 60's sofa, and it was $800 (pretty sure I told Brian, my husband, it was $600 at the time because it was and is so much money for us) but besides that i can't get enough weird old artwork. I know I have too much and I'm bordering on hoarding, but It makes me so happy and the house still doesn't feel cluttered because its on the walls. At least that's what I'm telling myself. In general my problem is losing judgment at flea markets or thrift stores - you know that 'if-i-don't-buy-it-now-i-will-regret-it-for-the-rest-of-my-life' syndrome? Yep, I got it. Bad. Terminally.
Sources: 1st Dibs and ABC Carpet & Home. In LA I love Gibson, Zelen, and Lawson Fenning, all beyond my budget right now, but some day…some day, In general I don't idolize expensive things, I love the slightly off, unpretentiousness of collecting flea market finds. Perfection can be stiff, randomness makes you want to party. And who doesn't like to party?
Thanks Emily!
MORE INFO:
• Emily's Blog, The Brass Petal
• HGTV's Design Star
Images: Teri Lyn Fisher
• HOUSE TOUR ARCHIVE Check out past house tours here
• Interested in sharing your home with Apartment Therapy? Contact the editors through our House Tour Submission Form.
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I. Want. That. Blue. Couch.
So do i pete so do i
love the pic#5..how do you put stuff in order that they look so balanced and pretty without looking like a big clutter like when i attempt to do it at my home.
Emily rocks.
I hope she wins. I think she has the most talent out of the people left. Her personal collection of artwork is pretty stunning. Jealousy!
Gorgeous! I love every single thing about this place. The rugs, art, plants, lighting, the use of navy throughout (which is an underused color in this setting)... it's perfect.
i'm really curious about the artwork on the wall in the dining room -- much like the flag, it looks like fabric stretched across something. is that what it is?
I've never seen anything quite like that blue sofa! It looks like it's in fabulous condition. I also really love the metal chairs on either side of what looks like a record cabinet.
I love Emily! I am absolutely cheering for her.
Her place looks warm, livable and stylish. OH- and I know the art thing... that is my problem as well!!!
Usually I'm not a fan of the knick knack look but this space is wonderful!! It doesn't feel cluttery at all. I like the fact that the colors extend throughout the space (green, blue, white and brown) making everything seem unified.
Does anyone know of a source for similar bedlinens? I love those!
I LOVE that red rug in the second picture - does anyone know where I can find something similar... not too pricey... Thanks!
Can anyone ID that doily-esque pendant above the dining room table? I am... intrigued.
i really like this!
homemadecookies - the bedlinens are from West Elm. I have them too. But unfortunately sold out for some time (at least in NYC and online). Everyone that walks into my apt tells me they want them. And they are oh so lovely to lie down on.
Love it all except for picture #3. The cord of the pendant falling across the beautiful arrangement is distracting and looks lazy. Other than that everything is amazing and I am totally rooting for Emily to kick ass at the finale!
I don't think this feels the least bit cluttered! How lovely. Emily, I thought your glass box room was stunning, by the way.
I LOVE your apartment, and don't worry about having too much artwork around the house, the composition of artworks, placement, amount, colors and all work together sooo well, but I wouldn't add up a hair to what you have there so far because I think any more piece will turn it from amazing to too much and cluttered.
Cudos to you :)
A really nice and cosy home! I love the blue couch. But the art on the wall with that red cross is just not my taste. It reminds me of refugee camps...
Really lovelly (although I share reservations about the refugee camp red cross sign).
Also, really like this extended form of house call, 10 pictures is so much better than 4 or 5.
I third the "Hmmm..." of the red cross on the wall. But for so few shots, I would have appreciated less vignettes and close in views and more expansive pics of the apartment itself. Perhaps a full house tour will follow?
i still think she should have gone in the first challenge. not saying she isn't talented, but the irreverence in the face of that failure was really irksome. shocked to see she blog's the brass petal, which i love. wow. this home looks like her.
homemadelinen - you can get that bedding at target too.
it's gonna be a tight race. Emily is the most creative but Michael has a lot of technique/craftsmanship. That foolio built a murphy bed.
I called Emily and Michael as the finalists from the very beginning. In my opinion they both deserve to be where they are.
I would LOVE to see Emily win it, however I think she has A LOT of competition in Michael when it comes to design.
Personally I think that if Michael doesn't learn to tone it down in his preso, and just be himself (the one that we all love) it'll cost him the win.
GO EMILY I am so rooting for her. She has so much talent, and she's intelligent and well spoken.
On another note: I find it interesting that my favorite design star contestant is featured on my favorite design website... Makes me realize again just how much I love design.
I should go on design star!
I cannot believe she found that couch for $800. I don't think I've ever been so jealous in my life.
And I hope there's a follow up house tour too, especially since there have been some major updates since these pics were taken.
The red cross/flag is one of my favorite pieces in her house. I love how it brings a utilitarian vibe next to that granny lamp and a pop of red with all those neutrals. I was actually going to ask where one might find another one....ebay? I'm surprised a few really didn't like it.
Anyways, I am an instant fan of Emily's work (just found out about her this week and have been cramming in past episodes of Design Star to get caught up for the finale). She is so relatable and her styling/design is welcoming, warm, and interesting. I want her to come on by and style my house. Good luck Emily! Hope you win!
Emily's place is lovely. She has nice vintage/thrift pieces and accessories, but she puts it all together in away that is cohesive and pretty. You have to be very careful to keep a collection of thrift store finds from looking like a mishmash of junk and Emily has put her collection together beautifully.
I too am just about incapable of buying anything new/retail, but I try to add a layer of "fresh" to my decor by upgrading and maintaining the finishes of the furniture and by adding flowers, mirrors and bright and shiny accessories in ceramics, gold leaf and chrome.
Emily grew on me over the course of the Design Star challenge. I liked her more and more as you got to see her individual work apart from the group. But then her individual project was an absolute SLAM DUNK. That blue wallpaper against the green couch and then the wonderful collection of wood and nick nacks (are you allowed to say nick nacks in the "design" world ? heehee) was perfection. Her room was beautifully conceived and executed. Much like her own apartment.
Good Luck Emily.
The place is just not working for me. The color scheme of dark blue with red accents does not feel homey, imo.
Yeaaaaa! So happy she won!
Love it! We gravitate to the same types of pieces and colors but you put them together so much nicer than I do. What shade of white do you have on the walls. I'm on the hunt for a great white. I lean towards cool but I don't want it to look too stark, bright or sterile. Thanks!
Love love love. Blue couch, red cross, white white white. Yum.
This is one of my favourite house tours, by far. I love the eclectic taste in art and furnishings. And all that light and colour!
hmmmm AT, do you realise the Red Cross is a protected emblem?
Why not be proactive in education, rather than allowing bloggers to continue to break the law?
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-109publ481/html/PLAW-109publ481.htm
http://chapters.redcross.org/ok/okc/OKCBombingRecovery/emblem.htm