Val Rasmussen, Editor of Utah Bride & Groom magazine and contributor to Utah Style & Design magazine,  shares her inspiring interview with HGTV star Emily Henderson.

Charming, gregarious, and gorgeous can all describe Emily Henderson. Just like her personality on her HGTV series “Secrets from a Stylist,” Henderson seems to be keeping no secrets.

Since winning HGTV’s “Design Star” Season 5, Henderson’s fans follow her series due to her uncanny ability to repurpose and showcase furnishings, props and art in colorful modern interiors that beam with personality.  Her signature boho-chic spaces are funky and functional, and her girl-next-door allure is approachable and inspiring.

Henderson spoke on a panel at the Altitude Design Summit this past weekend at the Grand America Hotel in SLC, where 500+ design-minded bloggers, journalists and editors from across the country came to expand their knowledge of digital media.

During her panel and my one-on-one interview with her, Emily Henderson gave me her dos and don’ts for styling a room.

Do:

1.    Use big books, sculptures, boxes and vessels

2.    When styling a bookcase or a coffee table, use horizontal, vertical and sculptural elements

3.    Use flowers and branches

Don’t:

1.    Karate chop pillows

2.    Use messy throws

3.    Use oddly stacked books

4.    Use too many pillow

5.    Absolutely no fruit bowls

Q: What emerging trends to you see on the horizon?

1.    Neon. “In small doses though….and with a modern edge,” she tells us. “For example, hot pink pillows with gold trim.”

2.    Patterns inspired by the 80’s

3.    Supersaturated colors like hot pink and red

Q: What trends are “out”?

1.    Burlap upholstery

2.    Knock-off reclaimed wood or industrial furniture. “Like those wood tables with iron legs. If you have to use it, just use it in small doses. Don’t use it all over,” Henderson recommends.

Q: I want to redo my entire house. Where should I begin?

“Focus on a high-traffic room that will get noticed,” she suggests. “And if you’re going to splurge, go for a conversation piece; something unique that has never been seen before.”

How do you know if a piece of “vintage” furniture is junk or a jewel?

“If lines are good, you can always refinished, repaint, or reupholster. You can add piping or tufting.” For a good piece, the options are endless. Henderson adds, “Furniture from 50 years ago or more is likely to be handmade and well-made. If you find a hot ticket item like mid-century chairs that are a good price, go for it.”

If you designed a Utah house, how would you style it?

“Maybe I would use those Pendleton blankets mixed with a little glam and femininity. Hmm….Oh, brass! I love brass!” she blurts, “I wonder if my style would stay the same wherever I went? Maybe it would.”

When you started on HGTV’s Design Star, you were one of the weakest contestants, then obviously came back to win it. Where you in a design rut? How did you get out and what advice do you have for other’s who may be in a design rut?

“Well, I’m not really super competitive…and it took me a while to adjust to the show. Also, I felt I had a lack of resources. We were shopping at Sears where we had maybe one or two coffee tables to chose from and that was it,” she recalls. “Design rut? Ah, just take a break.”

Me with Emily Henderson at the “Dinner en Blanc” party at Altitude Design Summit.

All images courtesy of http://www.stylebyemilyhenderson.com

Posted: Tuesday, January 24th, 2012 @ 2:33 am
Categories: Exclusive.
Tags: Altitude Design Summit, emily henderson, Grand America Hotel, HGTV Design Star, Secrets from a Stylist, styling trends.