Author: chanaainsworth

So we all know Emily Henderson. She’s the host of the show ‘Secrets from a Stylist.’ She’s blonde, funny and rocks the flair bottom jeans like no other. She first came into our lives while competing on HGTV’s ‘Design Star’ (there hasn’t been a better season yet.) I love her designs and style and I just want to shout it from the front of a boat with my arms spread-Leonardo DiCaprio style. So I came up with my five top reasons for being in love with Emily.

REASON ONE: She is so talented.
She really stood out for me in her seasons’ finale of the glass house challenge. The challenge was to create a space from, you guessed it, a glass box. Really intimidating. I get overwhelmed thinking about how to design a small studio apartment with actual walls- this was glass. Do you know how hard it is to make four glass walls and a roof look warm?Neither do I but Emily does:

At first glance you dont even realise its a glass box, you just see all this amazing-ness.

REASON TWO: She has the best style.
Everything she touches has a certain signature look, trademark Em. (Sometimes I shorten her name to Em so its easier for me to pretend we’re good friends.) She has the perfect balance of old and new, she does vintage like no one else. She’s like this mix of thrifty,boho, modern, 70s glam.
This is a picture of her home office:

Beautiful blue- which has also sort of become a signature color for her. I love this office. I would get a job just for this office.

Emily’s guest room.

This lamp. I still don’t know how she even got this lamp into her house being married. My husband would of stopped it at the door like customs. ‘Do you have anything you want to declare? What’s in the bag? No no no no no..’ So not only do I love the lamp I love that its in her living room for her and her husband to see.

REASON THREE: She is really pretty.

See, I told you she’s really pretty.

REASON FOUR: She has the best tv show.
The best part about her show, Secrets from a Stylist, is the process Emily uses. She brings all her clients into her design studio where she then gives them a design diagnostic. (Emily knows how to make the word diagnostic sound cool.)
She has door knobs, belts, platters, scarves in all different styles and has the client choose which one speaks to them. They are then given three words to sum up their style. Thespaces she designs on her show always turn out perfect, always dead on with meeting the needs of the client. If you’re not already watching the show shame on you it’s brilliant. Watch it. No I’m not getting paid for this endorsement it’s just that good.
Here are some pictures from her show:

 

A dining room she did, ‘Mantique Minimalism.’

‘Exotic Contemporary Comfort.’ This was one of my favorites. I tried doing my own version of that abstract blue painting behind the couch, but it looked more like the aftermath of bad stomach problems.

‘Untamed Modern Funk.’ This one felt close to home. My mother loves tribal and funky things but my house did not look like this growing up. I’m pretty sure my mother took more of a literal approach to it, we just had elephants and giraffes actually move in with us.

‘Mad Men Bohemian.’ Another one of my favorites.

REASON FIVE: She’s really funny.
The truth is I can’t know this for sure because I’ve never actually met Emily. From what Iwatch, read and follow about her (I promise I’m not this weird stalker who walks around with binoculars) she is really funny. She’s laid back, really easy going on her show and always ends off with something funny. Her blog is so good. She has a great style of  writing, the best tips and gorgeous pictures. All the pictures from this post are from her blog. Click here.

Im starting to regret this post a little. I may have lost my one and only follower to Emily Henderson. Times are tough.

I’ve been seeing Elin Kling everywhere. She’s a Swedish model turned fashion blogger and she recently launched a collection for GUESS by Marciano in New York. She is always killing it with what she wears. She’s gorgeous and super trendy so I thought it would be fun to match interiors to her outfits. She’s all about the outfits and I’m all about the rooms.
So here’s her by her launch party from last Thursday:

This get up is classic & really fresh. The look is tailored but feels effortless and easy going. She let the silhouette speak for itself and decided against accessories which I agree with. Elin would fit beautifully in this dining area:

This space has classic and iconic pieces with the Saarinen tulip table, tulip stools and chair. The mirror on the wall is more traditional but the space feels really effortless and laid back. The mismatched chairs make it inviting and nonjudgmental. The light fixture does the same to this space as the chevron pattern does to Elins jacket which is add the perfect amount of edge to something classic.

Elin looks like a groupie who lost her gang and ended up in the middle of the desert- and I LOVE it. I love the cut off shorts and her hat. She completely embodies a free spirit. If she ever finds her way home, this is probably where she would end up:

This space is really open and a big contributor to that is the floor to ceiling windows. Contrary to what it looks like outside (freezing cold) the living room has so much warmth to it. The coffee table and chair feel really natural and the throw adds some animal instinct. The space is minimal and feels free just like lost Elin in the desert.

If you cut her hair, switch the heels for high tops she would be Justin Bieber. I think this isawesome. I love how she turned boyish into chic, it totally suits her. She would sleep perfectly in this room:

The bed is low, easy to roll in and out off and with a life as busy as Elins that’s important. The chair and storage/side table are school boy all the way. The large prints on the wall are hanging from paper clips instead of in frames which add to the boyish charm. It’s simple and essential.

This outfit rocks. If I didn’t know better I would think Elin is about to walk down the aisle towards Lenny Kravitz. Usually this color combination of cream and white feels feminine and delicate but she really mixed it up. She would look great sitting over here:

The black and white prints are all abstract and mysterious leaning towards the rock and roll aspect. The light fixture is not too big but the shape gives it interest and roughens things up slightly like Elins top.

This is gooood. She looks laid back and relaxed. The boots and bag are a little bohemian, the aviators pick up some vintage while the white tee and jeans are the classics. It’s a really good mix, all these little touches add up to one too cool for school moment on a brownstone step. She would look just as good sitting in one of these chairs:

This space is a gorgeous in my dreams kind of mix. The cowhide is a perfect contrast to the mirrored coffee table. The patent black and white chairs are a touch of glamor without being in your face. Those platner chairs are staple pieces and the nude upholstery adds to the simplicity of them. The pillows play well into the bohemian side of things and it feels too cool for school as well.

I don’t know a lot people who look this good when they’re confused but I’m not complaining. That black knit falls perfectly with the right amount of slouch. And who needs a hair elastic when you can just hold your hair up like that in the wind? This kitchen & dining area would be a perfect backdrop:

I’m usually not a big fan of red, in any hue or tone but this burgundy is breathtaking. The light washed woods and whites are a cool compliment to the deep burgundy and black. This dining area feels light and also mysterious.

This is a new version of Olivia Newton John in Greese. This look is confident and cool and because it’s monochromatic in black it’s very strong. The shape of the leather jacket compliments that strength & gives it a little softness. This vignette would be perfect for her:

The black and gold combination is always amazing. The painting in the background is a great way to offset the straight lines of the bag and lamp. Olivia had John Travolta next to her bed but this will have to do for the side of Elins bed…

I don’t know what she was in middle of doing but she really doesn’t need to finish it because she looks great like this. I love the black with white high tops.
She looks like she’s channeling a Matrix vibe. It feels a little futuristic like this nook:

I know I just said ‘futuristic’ and then showed a picture with Cherner table and chairs, but it works. The legs of the table and chairs are so simply tapered they look like they’re floating. The chandelier and the shelved photo frames feel modern and forward thinking. This space belongs to Elin when she wears that black draped trench coat. They both took pieces from the past and brought them to the future.

Over all I think Elin would probably fit in almost any interior, but I’m confident I chose right 🙂 What do you think..
Btw all the pictures of Elin can be found on her blog. Click here.

I just came across Angie Hranowsky, Graphic and Interior designer. I know she has been discovered years ago and I’m a little late but I’m happy I’m here. She is everything I aspire to be, I love all of her interiors. Angie lives in Charleston, South Carolina where she spotted an open layout house for sale and turned it into this gorgeous space.

This is the living room. So beautiful, the color palette is perfect with the neutral warm colors mixed in with purples.

Angie put in a gallery wall that goes all the way from the living area to the dining area. It’s a collection of art from all her years. I absolutely love how this is done.

The home has a really cozy feeling, I think choosing a zebra hide that is brown and white instead of black and white was a good decision for warmth.

Look at the details of the living room, everything feels so effortless. The way the tulips fall is beautiful in a very natural way.

This den has a great mix of warmth and retro. The geometric room divider is strong and simple and the curves in the den balance beautifully. I love this den, I want this den.

Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better I see this kitchen. I mean I’m in love. Those lucite bar stools from the 70s are killing me. Love those floating shelves over Ann Sacks tile. That’s a great use of a small wall space. Those two pictures in her kitchen are silhouettes of her two children- I know so cute.

Yes somebody sleeps here and it’s not you; it’s Angie. Glamorous canopy bed, great Suzani blanket and perfect color combination.

And this is her entry way. She probably can’t keep people from coming in with a view like this.
Her style is effortless, relaxed and modern. The pieces from one room to the next all connect with each other and tell a story. Love this home, Love her work.

Being 25 years old, the 90s is a decade I relate to a lot and I’m feeling nostalgic so I’m going to share that with you. The style back then resonated a lot with me. I liked the simplicity of it all. A lot of denim and black, a lot of menswear for the ladies and a lot of emphasis on comfort.
My mother was a big part of shaping what i call my style today. This is how I remember my mother when I was growing up:

She always wore round sunglasses and for a while wore a beret like the one above. She wore a lot of black jackets paired with floral maxi skirts. I remember watching her walk around hoping one day I would be as beautiful and popular as her.
My mother was and still is a beautiful stylish amazing woman. ( i love you ma.)

Another thing i was exposed to growing up was beautiful ladies:

Who didn’t know these gorgeous ladies. They ruled the fashion magazines. Nothing was cooler than ripped jeans and a plain white tee.

Except for cut off jeans and a black undershirt.

I was completely enamored by these two girls, I spent my childhood, adolescent and some of my adult life collecting pictures books movies and clothing of these billionaires. After I saw this movie I only wore my baseball cap backwards.

This is where I would go most weekends. Now if I want to watch a movie all I need to do is lift my index finger and tap a button. Sometimes I barely manage that.

The Jetsons.. this cartoon was set in the future. It’s been 20 years and I’m still waiting for my bubble car and cool white hair-do.

So who remembers this sound:

That was internet before DSL.

Text messaging in the 90’s.

Interiors were kind of a mix of traditional and casual. The forms of furniture pieces were much more feminine.

A picture of the apartment from ‘Mad About You’.
Using wicker indoors was very trendy then, wicker usually being something you put outside. A lot of natural colors were also used, browns and beige.

For those of you who recognize this landing it’s from the movie ‘Home Alone’. I practically grew up on that movie. Most homes in the 90s looked something like this, a lot of strong ‘feature’ colors and all that wallpaper. Everyone had wallpaper, I do wish more people would use wallpaper now.

This armchair reminds me a lot of my childhood; skirted, cushioned couches were everywhere which added to the comfort and femininity of the style then. Our obsession with the modern form hadn’t developed so strongly yet. This is actually a shot from the movie ‘You’ve Got Mail.’ I’m starting to get this strange feeling that I should stop writing this happy, nostalgic post about the 90’s and call a therapist because it turns out I watched way too many movies back then!

Why I needed to own a bunch of these trolls is beyond me.

I’m the only girl in my family with six brothers. There was definitely the good to that, I got whatever I wanted and never had to share. But there was also the bad. I had to spend my childhood taking  undeserved abuse. This is a picture from my baby album:

Yes, the 90’s were a special time. Good moments.

You can tell a lot about a person by the way they dress and that’s usually translated into their home. If you like to wear a lot of color and mix in some patterns, chances are you’re making more bold decisions in your home. If you’re more of a person who likes to wear matching sweater sets, spandex or a beret’ then you probably shouldn’t invite people back to your home.

Take this girl, for example, really simple and classic. A pin striped blouse is a staple and the tan belt is also a classic piece (feels very Banana Republic circa 1996). She makes this look modern with her white crochet shorts; her hair is ombre which says modern. She sticks to more neutral colors with a pop of neon pink on her wrist. This is probably how her home looks:

This room feels very laid back with the pillows and throw. The lounge chair and crochet pillows are more tailored. There’s pops of color around the room but it’s foundation is neutral. The coffee table and floor lamp are modern and chic. This room is open, casual and modern.
Now this girl wouldn’t be happy in this room:

No, she would need a room like this:

I didn’t choose this picture because the shape of the sofa is similar to the shape of her jacket, this room screams glamor. She likes simple, strong and shiny.

I wish it was acceptable for adults who are no longer in school to wear a uniform because this would be mine. I would be so happy to wear this every day. It’s so simple and bohemian and completely effortless. This beautiful woman belongs in a room like this:

This room is breathtaking. The windows everywhere are a huge plus, everything looks better with natural light. It has an easy and casual feel to it. All the fabrics bring in so much warmth and the colors come from nature. I’m crazy about this room.

Even though I cant see her face, I can still see what her style is. I’m probably better off not seeing her face because if it’s anything like her body I may as well kill myself right now. Moving on, the color palette of this outfit is really feminine and soft. You can see she likes a good mix; her long silk skirt is dressed down with a white casual knit. She’s wearing gold bracelets one of which is spikes, showing she has some edge.

This room is soft with some good fabrics going on. The wallpaper is beautiful it’s loud and quiet at the same time. The glass table hardens things up a little bit. The cowhide is a great way to bring in a wild feel to such a soft room.
I’m having a lot of fun with this, they should make this a game- ‘Return the owner to their home.’ Clearly I would be very good at this game.

Let’s guess who lives in this room…

No, not her. She lives here:

If you were thinking this woman lives there, wrong again. She’s currently living between these two places:

It’s a busy life….

And it’s not this woman either:

She lives here:

This is called the 80’s people. The woman above and this table setting both live there happily.

The answer is this woman..

This blonde bombshell lives in that adventurous space. You can see she loves to travel and take pictures of things that inspire her. She has this long hair that’s out and messy and her leather jacket shows a lot of edge.

Yes, they will be very happy together.

This post was inspired by one of my favorite designers Emily Henderson. Her show ‘Secrets from a Stylist’ which is based on taking someones style and incorporating it into their home.
Emily if you ever read this, thank you for inspiring me 🙂