Stylist and author Emily Henderson has long been known for helping people decorate their houses with a bright and cheerful design sensibility and an accessible, budget-conscious approach. And, unsurprisingly, the style guru’s own L.A. home is all the inspiration you need when it comes to summer home decor ideas this season.
In her own home, Henderson doesn’t skimp on color and design, but coziness and comfort are at the forefront. “Our living room is the heart of the home, but we don’t want it to feel precious,” Henderson says. “People should feel like they can relax with a glass of red wine, and kids can play.” Henderson and her husband, Brian, have shared that sensibility from the beginning, when they met in college 20 years ago. “When we moved in together, we didn’t have any furniture and just collected things. The overall look was super thrifted and funky,” she says. “Now it’s a bit more grown-up!” With two young children and busy careers, the couple’s Tudor home in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles is a colorful, eclectic space.
The couple’s laid-back spirit is present throughout the home and patio. “Ultimately, you want to design your outdoor space as you would an indoor one, just with more weather-friendly materials,” explains Henderson. That means pillows, poufs, and throws that withstand moisture—and a mix of new and old items. “My two biggest tips on making a space colorful and cozy are to use vintage pieces and textiles,” she says. “Vintage brings soul and depth into your room and textiles make it feel welcoming.”
When it comes to living together, the couple’s home style may have evolved since their apartment-dwelling days, but they still want a space that feels lived in as opposed to a showcase of perfection. “Our kids are expert mess makers— as most little ones are—so rooms that are all perfectly clean aren’t an option,” says Henderson. “But real life happens all day, every day, so why try to hide that?”
See more of Henderson’s beautifully breezy L.A. home below, as well as her tips for creating a similar space this season.
The Cisco Home sofa was named “the Henderson” after the stylist custom-designed it for her space. A modern standing lamp from Target blends with classic brass sconces from Circa Lighting and a silk wool rug from Annie Selke is paired with a vintage coffee table holding favorite objets d’art. “Trays, along with a few cute items in varied shapes and heights, instantly makes a space feel styled,” Henderson says.
Sara Tramp
The bedroom relies on gorgeous texture with supersoft linens from Parachute, an embroidered Rebecca Atwood pillow, and a shag rug from Lulu and Georgia.
Tessa Neustadt
One end of the patio features an intimate seating area set up with a sofa, copper stool, and woven pouf, all from Target. The graphic flooring is from Granada Tile. “It was a splurge,” says Henderson, ”but it makes me ridiculously happy every time I see it.” Not looking to retile? Henderson recommends using an outdoor rug for a similar effect.
The outdoor space feels personalized—and party ready—with a bar cart filled with a mix of vintage accessories, eclectic linens, and handmade serving pieces. “A bar cart is the ultimate entertaining piece because it’s so versatile” says Henderson. “You can use it to serve up delicious drinks, make it into a food station, or even use it for craft storage or a plant stand.”
See more: 27 Products You Need for the Perfect Bar Cart
This story originally appeared in the June/July 2019 issue of Brides, on sale beginning April 30.
