feature image via House Beautiful
I’ve been a longtime fan of Emily Henderson. She’s an interior stylist who used to have a show on HGTV and she’s an incredible designer. She blends modern sophistication with gorgeous textiles and is able to seamlessly combine classic/vintage motifs with contemporary style. If you follow her on social media, you know she’s been designing a luxury home in Portland as well as a mountain house. Today, I’m showing you inside Emily Henderson’s Portland project. Spoilers: it’s insane (in a good way).
Emily Henderson’s Portland Project Reveal
Firstly, Emily is known for her use of a blue palette and peppering in natural elements. Her homes are cozy, classic, with lots of layered in design moments that are truly special. She is very talented at creating spaces that feel unique but also warm and inviting. Spaces that are high on design and style, but also functional for a family are what she does best.
This home was bought for $850k as a fixer upper, and boy, did Emily fix it up! The different bathrooms are my favorite. She mixes some great wallpaper, marble, tile, wood paneling, and really really cool finishes. The amount of thought that went into each room is overwhelming. She and her team did such a stunning job.
via House Beautiful
For Emily Henderson’s Portland project, she married that style with some luxury items. It’s a giant home and she wanted it to feel upscale but still accessible. The exterior of the home is gorgeous, and she continued that on the inside. She used some luxury items in the kitchen and bathroom (like high end tile and marble), but it doesn’t come across as overly “fancy”.
via Emily Henderson
I mean look at that Ann Sacks tile! Gorgeous, but still neutral. That’s the tough part of designing a home for a buyer you don’t know yet; you’re not sure of their style. It’s pretty tough to design a home that isn’t generic, but will attract a wide variety of people. People pleasing is hard, as I’m sure you know.
It’s especially difficult when you think of the time and money that goes in to a design. If the prospective buyer doesn’t like something that would be a pricey fix (ie: bathroom and kitchen design), they just won’t buy the home, and you lose the sale over one room design. It’s pretty stressful.
via House Beautiful
See what I mean about the blue? It’s tastefully repeated throughout the space, careful to balance color and soft neutrals so the room doesn’t feel overwhelming to someone who might not be a color lover. Emily chose really great rugs throughout the home as well. They have a pattern but are simple enough to pass as an understated neutral. Layer in some great textiles and you’ve got a room anyone would want to stay in.
via House Beautiful
The kitchen reminds me of Emily’s own kitchen (in the best possible way). She is labeling her own kitchen in the style “modern English country” and some of the elements are similar to this Portland design. The gray-green cabinets, the marble, the black sconces, it’s all a classic beauty that deserves to be repeated. I’m also loving the veining on the marble.
You know how much I dislike all white marble in the kitchen, because functionally, it sucks. BUT! The veining gives interest and will hide stains better. Win win. I love me a modern neutral kitchen with some flair. Emily Henderson’s Portland project is the perfect mix of casual elegance and great design.
via Emily Henderson
The palette for all of these rooms is pretty neutral, ranging from warm tans to cool greys and blues. And yet, not a single space is boring. Each room has it’s own personality and character.
via House Beautiful
via Emily Henderson
It’s light and airy; an updated traditional home with cool finishes. I mean, check out that cool handrail! She included some really beautiful design moments in the architecture and even staged it with goods from local Portland artisans, which I really appreciate.
via Emily Henderson
If you’re interested in buying a $2.6 million home (who isn’t? lol), here’s the full listing. How do you feel about Emily Henderson’s Portland project? I think it’s killer, especially considering it was a fixer upper. I’ve always wanted to redo a fixer upper; I think it’s an awesome way to get everything you want custom to your liking and has the biggest return on investment since you bought at a low price.
I think Emily made some really great design decision that are unique but also appeal to a broad audience. The bones of the home are traditional, so she kept a similar style on the interior so it remains cohesive, but she added so many nice touches. Case in point: she built a “secret” room and crawl space for children. I mean, how cool is that?
-Kristen
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