Secrets from Star Stylist Emily Henderson

By Lexi Green
November 2, 2011

The "'70's funky elegance" room designed by interior stylist Emily Henderson for her show "Secrets from a Stylist" (photos by Mark Champion)

Emily Henderson

Emily Henderson is a lesson in following your dreams. Although she is now the star of her own design show on HGTV—a program called "Secrets from a Stylist" where she flips people’s ho-hum homes into beautifully styled and personalized spaces—Henderson’s life wasn’t always so glamorous. Like most successful entrepreneurs, she started at the bottom, working her way from retail clerk (and occasional dog walker and bartender) to in-demand interior design stylist and decorator. Or, as the ever quick-witted Henderson refers to that period in her life, “Ah, my twenties.”

Henderson's first design job was at the Jonathan Adler boutique in New York City. When well-known set designer and interior stylist Cindy Diprima, Henderson turned on her charm and landed a job with Diprima, a “dream boss” Henderson worked with for four years. Under Diprima, Henderson’s clients included for Domino, Martha Stewart, Elle Decor and Good Housekeeping, for whom she did prop styling for photo shoots.

In 2010, Henderson, then 30, moved to Los Angeles with her husband and landed a spot on season five of HGTV’s renowned "Design Star," where she wowed the judges with her ability to turn a blank canvas into a magazine-ready room. In February 2011, she launched "Secrets from a Stylist," her own show on HGTV that's now in its second season. (Tonight at 1pm EST is one of Henderson's favorite shows—a transformation of an outdated family living room into a bright, '70s-inspired space.) She also works with private interior design clients and is in the process of creating an e-design service for folks who want to do it themselves, but need some guidance along the way.

Emily Henderson

more images of the "'70's funky elegance" room

She Tweets (@em_henderson) and blogs regularly on everything from the styling behind her TV show to some seriously wonderful product giveaways to occasional peeks inside her personal life. (She recently blogged about her bare-bones wedding back in 2006, including the dress she bought on eBay.)

Below, she talks with us.

The Inside Source: Now that you are on your own TV show, what is typical day in the life Emily Henderson?

Emily Henderson: OK. First thing: Wake up at 6 and blog ‘til 7:30. If I'm shooting then I will race to set, get into hair and makeup and email while that is all happening. Then, I shoot until 7 or 10 at night depending on the day. But, if I’m not shooting, then it’s more internet stuff. This can include interviews, OpenSky curating, webisodes (these will both be going live soon), blog posts, and of course, interior design clients. Basically, my day is always crazy. Super fulfilling... I watch Rachel Zoe and think, yep; I get it, Although I'm clearly on a much smaller level.

The Inside Source: Have you had any favorite projects from your time on “Secrets from a Stylist?”

Emily Henderson: I definitely have my favorite weeks, but I would hate to name them and make others feel bad! It was incredibly fun to redesign Joy Cho of [interior design blog] Oh Joy’s house because, not only are we friends, but also the press that we both got for it was so rewarding. People re-blogged and retweeted about it so much that I started realizing that I had done something on TV that people hadn't seen before.

Emily Henderson

The home of OhJoy blog Joy Cho, whose house Henderson designed

I also loved the 'Polynesian kitsch' house because those are two styles that normally people hate. It turned out super-sophisticated and fun and unexpectedly popular. And then I loved the '70's funky elegance' episode. All the hot pinks and brass and ultra-feminine accessories were every girl’s dream. It was weird and unexpected but totally up my alley.

The "Polynesian kitsch" makeover from "Secrets from a Stylist" was one of Henderson's favorite episodes. (photos by Mark Champion)

The Inside Source: What is your favorite part of your job?

Emily Henderson: Truthfully? It’s a tie between getting paid to spend somebody else’s money at flea markets and thrift stores, and watching the faces of the homeowners when they see their new rooms. Both of these are super satisfying in such different ways. I mean, I dreamed of making flea market shopping my career my entire life and never thought it was possible. Also, I'm not opposed to getting my hair and makeup done every day. It’s ridiculously fun.

The Inside Source: How would you describe your personal aesthetic?

Emily Henderson: My own aesthetic is eclectic, effortless, messy, and vintage... with a heavy mix of '70s glam and Victorian cat lady. Obviously I don't get to infuse this into my work every week (nor would I want to). But, I try to make each house I work on appropriate for the client. At the same time, I try to always create eclectic and unexpected elements.

The Inside Source: Is there an Emily Henderson trademark? For example, if we were to walk into an Emily Henderson-styled room, are there any decor elements that we would always find?

Emily Henderson:: Probably animal sculptures. I have a thing for them, which I have had to curb, actually. Besides my animal sculpture love, you'll always see very pretty flowers, mostly placed in a footed vintage vase, as well as lots and lots of layers. I just like a lot of stuff!

Emily Henderson

Henderson calls this the "antique graphic novel geek chic" room. "It was the most playful and youthful room. Anytime you walked into it, you were so happy and never wanted to leave" she said.

The Inside Source: What is one styling tool that you absolutely can't live without?

Emily Henderson: Flowers and Fabrics. They are the quickest way to freshen up your room and there are endless, just endless different kinds of both When I used to get bored, I would go to the fabric district and buy just one yard of two different new fabrics (hopefully vintage) and make new pillows. It was cheap, easy and fun, whereas shopping for a new sofa is, well, not…

The Inside Source: What is one item in your own home that you can't live without?

Emily Henderson: Hmm...Coffee! And my collection of crazy artwork. Yes, they are crazy, for sure. But they make me so happy. And my collection of vintage floral pillows. I mix the pillows all together and it looks nuts, but my sofa is sophisticated enough that it totally works.

The Inside Source: We hear you are a big eBay fan!

Emily Henderson: I use eBay in the middle of the night, when I wake up and think, “OMG! We need some awesome vintage hardware for the dresser.” I know I can search at architectural salvage places until I die, or I can just go onto eBay and make it happen ASAP. I use it if someone collects something that I want more of and I know it would take me hours of running around the city to do it. And I use it for vintage Frye boots. I need these, and there are always plenty to choose from.