Meet the Design Influencer: Emily Henderson

Emily Henderson’s “happy, vintage-inspired” aesthetic has drawn many a devoted reader to her bright corner of the internet. Her popular blog, Style by Emily Henderson, chronicles her ongoing design projects—and biggest DIY mistakes—alongside musings on fashion, life, and everything in between.

Born and raised in Oregon (the fourth of six siblings!), Emily had an eye for artfully styled interiors that was sharpened by her experience as a prop stylist in New York City. After relocating to the West Coast, she sought a new creative outlet. “The blog started as a need to journal my creativity,” she explains. “I thought, Why not do it publicly?” Since launching the blog as a New Year’s resolution in 2010, Emily has added other titles to her roster—notably, HGTV Design Star winner, home style expert for Target, mom of two, and bestselling author of Styled: Secrets for Arranging Rooms, from Tabletops to Bookshelves, with another title coming this fall.

Right now, Emily is all about comfort and lived-in style, with colors and textures that don’t feel fussy: “I go back to blues, greens, woods, and brass. They make me feel grounded.” With her knack for making a room feel pulled together with some off-center element that somehow works, it’s no wonder Emily’s feed can draw her mass audiences into new design territory. “At the moment, I’m drawn to a sort of mid-century-Shaker-meets- Victorian-with-a-hint-o-Scandi aesthetic,” says the stylist. “Not complicated at all!”

Who’s Influencing Emily?

@creekwoodhill

“Lea has an excellent eye for curating vintage-inspired spaces. Her projects show her eclectic traditional-meets-mid-century style in a voice that’s relatable to those interested in design at all levels.”

@plot.twist.interiors

“Her entire feed is eye candy. She posts inspiring interiors dripping in color, fun patterns, and shapes. Anytime I need some color motivation, her account inspires me to go for it.”

@transitionstatedesign

“I love the moody, California-casual spaces that feel artfully collected but approachable. I can always find inspiration when I’m looking for modern-yet-inviting design.”

Take a scroll through this master stylist’s feed: @em_henderson.

By Claire Brito | Feature and bedroom photograph by Tessa Neustadt | Portrait by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | Instagram photographs by Lea Johnson, Miki Carter/@Plot.Twist.Interiors, and Olivia Pierce, @transitionstatedesign.