Styled: Secrets for Arranging Rooms by Emily Henderson - A Book Review
Inspiration For Every Room
Are you looking to upgrade your home decor with a few simple touches? Emily Henderson, a Los Angeles-based interior stylist and the host of HGTV’s popular show, Secrets from a Stylist, has got you covered! In her book “Styled: Secrets For Arranging Rooms, From Tabletops to Bookshelves”, Henderson addresses the popular interior design question of how to make a space look “pulled together.” This guide offers readers useful tips and tricks to help them transform their living space with simple and affordable techniques. Through detail-oriented strategies as well as relevant and modern examples, this book provides readers with the tools they need to create stylish and chic interiors without a designer's touch. In this article, I give an honest review of Styled by Emily Henderson and provide a helpful summary of the takeaways from the book, including tricks for choosing furniture, mastering the art of arranging, and using accessories to create a polished interior. We will examine how Emily Henderson's unique approach to interior design is relevant to today's modern homeowner and how some of Styled's strategies can be applied to a variety of home decor. By the end, you will have the knowledge you need to make an informed decision on whether this book is right for you!
“My manta is ‘style and play, every day’.”
About the Book
“Styled: Secrets For Arranging Rooms, From Tabletops to Bookshelves” is a book about home styling written by Emily Henderson with Angelin Borsics, and photography by David Tsay. The book was published in 2015 and is available in both hardcover and ebook formats.
Emily Henderson's book “Styled: Secrets For Arranging Rooms, From Tabletops to Bookshelves” is an informative and comprehensive guide that covers a wide range of topics related to home décor and styling tips. This book provides readers with essential tips on how to determine their own personal style, how to use basic styling tools and materials for their home, as well as specific tips and advice for styling each room in the home. Additionally, Emily Henderson shares her experience as a professional stylist and provides insight into what it takes to be successful in the field.
Key takeaways include:
1) identifying your personal style;
2) understanding basic styling tools and materials;
3) learning how to design each room in the home;
4) gaining insight into Emily Henderson's personal experience as a professional stylist.
What the Book Covers
The book is divided into three parts: "The Stylist’s Toolkit," "Style Secrets for Every Room," and "The Stylist’s Notebook."
In "The Stylist’s Toolkit," Henderson covers topics such as choosing the right furniture and decor by defining your style through a design quiz, creating a cohesive look, and arranging furniture in a way that makes sense.
In "Style Secrets," as you move from one room to another, the stunning photographs and concise insights will leave you salivating and inspire your creativity for decorating. The author has skillfully explained the thought process behind every vase, neatly folded throw, and intricately patterned pillow. Keep an eye out for the Photo Tips sprinkled throughout the book, which offer practical suggestions for capturing a vignette or a room's ambiance on camera. These tips include identifying the subtle elements that can bring vitality and character to your living space.
And in "The Stylist’s Notebook,” Emily shares exclusive tips on how to shop at a flea market, a list of her preferred paint colors, DIY recommendations, and a comprehensive list of her preferred resources, enabling you to shop like a pro just as she does.
Here are some of the topics covered in “Styled: Secrets For Arranging Rooms, From Tabletops to Bookshelves”…
The Stylist's Toolkit:
You’ll be introduced to design elements and style personalities to help you determine what kind of look you’re going for. Emily goes over reasons to name your style, offers a style quiz, and then introduces you to your style(s). Finally, a Style Wheel helps you find which other styles plays well with your favorites.
Chapter 1: Name Your Style: This section helps you to identify your own personal style, so that you can make informed choices about the furnishings and decor for your home.
Chapter 2: Insider Speak: This section provides definitions of common design terms, so that you can understand what the experts are talking about. This section gives the reader an inside look at the designer’s tips, tricks and shortcuts.
Chapter 3: Transform Your Space in 10 Easy Steps: This section provides a step-by-step guide to styling any room in your home. Learn how to edit your current belongings, collect inspiration, create a foundation for the styling, select props from your stash, add interest, and create vignettes.
Style Secrets for Every Room:
This section provides specific tips and advice for styling each room in your home, from living rooms to bedrooms. Style Secrets for Every Room features pro tips on how to make the most of your space.
Chapter 4: Living Rooms: This section covers how to make a good impression with your living room, including tips for styling coffee tables, bookshelves, side tables, the sofa, fireplace mantels, and your TV (page 150.)
Chapter 5: Entryways, corners, and creative spaces: This section covers the basics of styling entryways, mudrooms, home office, corners, credenzas,and other creative spaces in your home.
Chapter 6: Kitchens and dining rooms: This section covers the basics of styling kitchens and dining rooms, in ways to make your guests feel comfortable and welcome. You’ll learn how to style a kitchen island, how to add depth to your room, how to style the bar, keeping the kitchen useful as well as chic, as well as receive lots of photo tips for sharing your refreshed kitchens and dining rooms on social media.
Chapter 7: Bedrooms: This section covers the basics of styling bedrooms, including choosing your color palette, how to style a calming space, creating bedroom vignettes, decorating the bathroom, and how to mix patterns.
The Stylist’s Notebook:
This section provides a behind-the-scenes look at Emily Henderson's life as a professional stylist, including her tips for success and her favorite secrets resources. Emily lists her favorite tried-and-true paint colors, tips for finding flea market treasures, whether to DIY or hire a pro, and must-reads. She adds her best tips on how to become a stylist, and her go-to shopping resources for general decor, lighting, rugs, wallpaper, tabletop, bedding and linens, and her L.A. faves.
What I Liked About the Book
Even though this book is about 7 years old, I was still excited to receive it. Emily Henderson is a well-known interior designer and stylist who has been featured in numerous magazines and television shows. She is known for her eclectic and approachable style, and her book Styled is a reflection of that. I’m a big fan of curated, eclectic spaces that encompass various styles; and the beautiful rooms really make my heart sing.
In all honesty, although I’ve skimmed through the entire book, I am one-third of the way through. This book is perfect for beginners who love Emily’s style, and those wanting to make your home look Instagram-worthy. I like that the book was very well-written and easy to follow. Emily Henderson does a great job of explaining the basics of home styling, and she provides plenty of examples to illustrate her points. I also found the book to be very inspiring, and I'm already planning to use some of the tips in my own home. This includes incorporating more items that are the opposite of my favorite design style.
What I Didn't Like About the Book
I didn't really have any major complaints about the book. I have taken many many style quizzes over the years, and I thought hers was a bit confusing, and didn’t quite nail what I think of as my style. Yet, her style wheel after your style results ws most intriguing to me. I did find that it was a bit repetitive at times. Additionally, I would have liked to see more information on specific styling techniques. Though to be fair, I’m not even half-way finished with the book, as I’ve been taking my time writing notes as I read.
Overall Thoughts
Overall, I am really enjoying Emily Henderson's book Styled. Emily does a great job of explaining the basics in a clear and easy-to-follow way, and the photos are really inspiring. While it's a great resource for beginners who are looking to learn more about home styling, experienced designers might enjoy the inspirational photos yet feel the book isn’t meaty enough.
I do like that she includes a style quiz at the beginning of the book. This is a great way to get started on your own personal style journey. However, I agree that it can be a bit confusing, and it might not be 100% accurate. But that's okay, because the most important thing is to find your own personal style and to experiment until you find what you love.
Overall, I think Styled is a great book for anyone who is interested in learning more about home styling. It's packed with helpful tips and advice, and it's sure to inspire you to create a beautiful and inviting space in your own home.
Here are some of the pros and cons of the book:
Pros:
Well-written and easy to follow
Plenty of helpful examples
Inspiring photos
Style quiz to help you find your personal style
Cons:
Can be a bit repetitive at times
Style quiz might not be 100% accurate
Could include more information on specific styling techniques
Overall, I think Styled is a great book for anyone who is interested in learning more about home styling. It's packed with helpful tips and advice, and it's sure to inspire you to create a beautiful and inviting space in your own home.
Who Should Read This Book
Emily Henderson's book Styled is a great resource for anyone who is interested in learning more about home styling. It's packed with helpful tips and advice, and it's sure to inspire you to create a beautiful and inviting space in your own home.
Here are some of the people who would benefit from reading Styled:
People who are new to home styling: Emily does a great job of explaining the basics in a clear and easy-to-follow way.
People who are looking to improve their home styling skills: Styled is full of helpful tips and advice that can help you take your home styling to the next level.
People who are looking for inspiration: The photos in Styled are really inspiring and will give you plenty of ideas for your own home.
People who are interested in learning about interior design, home decor, and styling: The photos alone will teach you a few things. You’ll also learn about learn about key design elements such as color, pattern, texture, and scale.
People who want to improve the look and feel of their homes but are not sure where to start: The tips for finding items at flea markets as well as shopping your own home are invaluable. As you gain confidence with Emily’s advice, you can start to shop for finds elsewhere.
People looking for practical advice on creating a cohesive and stylish space: Each photo has a small paragraph highlighting Emily’s insights, as well as lettered call-outs.
People who are looking for simple and not overly-complicated step-by-step guides to home styling: Styled’s step-by-step guides are very easy to follow. She includes her collection of tips and advice.
People who want to learn how to mix and match different styles and incorporate vintage pieces into modern decor: Emily’s style is full of vintage items mixed with your favorite ways to decorate.
Here are some of the people who might not benefit from reading Styled:
People who are experienced interior designers or decorators: You may find the book too basic or not challenging enough, unless you are a huge fan of Emily’s (then, you’ll appreciate having a treasure of inspirational photos.)
People who are looking for one very specific style: Styled covers a variety of styles, so if you're looking for a book on a specific style, then you might want to look elsewhere.
People who are not fans of Emily’s eclectic style: Even though she covers various styles such as Scandinavian, minimalist, zen, contemporary, industrial, mid-century modern, seventies, bohemian, modern Glam, eighties, rustic, and traditional - her eclectic style is clearly defined and seen in each photograph.
People who are not interested in home styling: If you're not interested in home styling, then Styled probably won't be very interesting to you.
Where to Buy the Book
Emily’s Five Reasons To Buy Her Book Video
Book Review Conclusion
In conclusion, Emily Henderson’s book, “Styled: Secrets For Arranging Rooms, From Tabletops to Bookshelves,” is the perfect resource for anyone looking to learn the basics of home styling and decorating. Packed with helpful tips and advice, and beautiful photos, it’s sure to inspire you to create a beautiful and inviting space in your own home. From outlining the essential elements of interior design to providing a style quiz to help you find your own personal style, Styled is a must-have guide for anyone interested in creating stylish and chic interiors without a designer’s touch. So, if you’re ready to make your home look “pulled together” with the help of Emily Henderson, then her book is sure to be a resource you’ll want to keep on your shelf. “The secret to creating a living space that’s beautiful and personal is within your own style and in the willingness to experiment,” says Henderson. So, grab your copy of Styled and get ready to create a home that reflects your personal style.
You may also enjoy reading my related articles such as foolproof wall art hanging, Facebook groups to join to give and get decor advice, and a visual interior design words glossary. Plus, don’t miss out on:
Would you like for me to put together a customized design for your home?
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