Look 2: Bohemian Flower Child
Wednesday, Mar 09, 2011 23 Comments Most contrasting styles can work together if you balance it well and stick with the right color palette, in fact I cant think of two that don't work together (wait, if they are both ornate and old i.e. spanish meets 1920's, it can be hard because there are no straight lines or anything simple and modern to balance it out, but besides that....). These two styles (mid-century and modern and global) work pretty well together. The base is simple and clean and then all the major accessories are global. That's why i layered it that way - you don't necessarily want or need an enormous moroccan day bed in your living room (although i do love those on a covered patio, for sure). Start with simple, clean lines and layer on the eclectic. Too much of anything becomes a theme real fast, and while i know that some people preferred the first look, it was way too one note to me. The second layer is kinda the money layer.
I got that table at the rose bowl, it was $250 which is expensive, but it was a fantastic deal. It's heavy, old and not going anywhere. I think it's japanese, but not totally sure.
Those two leather sling-armed chairs were from Design Modern on Melrose (tell David and Ryan I sent you) and they were i think like $200 each, then i had the cushions reupholstered in that modern ikat.
Here's how i bought them. I'm a total sucker for leather detailing on furniture. and they are kerazy comfortable and super low.
reupholstering was $100 per cushion, which frankly i didn't know, so they did end up being like $400 a chair. Oh and the fabric was from Diamond on La Brea. That little side table was from the Rose Bowl flea market, and it was probably around $100 but i don't remember. That horse was from H.D. Buttercup ($80).
Photos by Laure Joliet.
Still loving that wallpaper. So here's a good source for you: Wallpaper city in Santa Monica. It's a little carpet and wallpaper store that has a lot of dead stock grasscloths and some vintage wallpaper that they have either never sold out of or they have bought from wallpaper stores going out of business. They do have more of this, i think, but not much. And i feel like it was $60 a roll (grasscloth is massively cheaper than printed wallpaper). But i love it, it has so much movement and energy and makes me happy. I wish i had done the whole room in it to be honest. Also that little round frame is not supposed to be next to that little round stash box, for the record. much too similar in shape and color. Mr. and Mrs. Raval, if you are reading this, run home and separate those two objects, stat. Leave your job, quit your job if you have to. thanks.
Hi pretty lady. I LOVE that Gazelle. It's such a statement piece. I think she was $175 at the Long Beach Flea market, i think.
Now into the dining room:
photo by Laure joliet
That rug is from A Oriental Rugs on Pico in Santa Monica. It was $900, but he gave me a massive deal. Unfortunately a few days later i found one EXTREMELY similar from Ikea and we bought it, thinking we would use it instead. But the shopping segment was already lined up. So when Orlando said 'should we keep the pricetag on so they know its the expensive one', he wasn't kidding. The ikea one was $400. And they wouldn't take it back despite the fact we didn't touch it (they NEVER take rugs back) so we still have it. If anyone wants to buy it for $200 let me know. I can't use it on the show again because its too similar to this one. Anyhoo, i love this rug and it is much prettier than the Ikea one and the fact that it is the real deal and hand woven gives it the authenticity that those colors need. And its super family friendly, and reversable even.
Also A Oriental Rug company is MUCH cheaper than a lot of expensive rug places. If ya'll have shopped for real rugs you know they are a fortune. And anything that is pretty and 8x10 often starts at like $3000. But this place is MUCH cheaper and a lot of rug stores on Melrose buy from them and sell them at their store for twice the price. And the owner lets you take it home for a couple days on memo, and is easy to negotiate with. plus he's hilarious. and he'll tell you that you have very good and expensive taste. and you'll believe him because it makes you feel good.
The pottery on top is from Room and Board, the drapery is ikea's white linen panels (which aren't lined, but other than that are great. wash 'em a couple time and hang to dry and get the wrinkles out and they are super flowy, romantic and beachy).
I forgot to tell you my regret? that tv box. Here's the deal, the tv actually disappeared really nicely on that grey wall, but i had already established in the plans that it would be a diy so i diyed it. After it was up, i was like well that's stupid - it actually calls more attention to the tv, and its not really fooling anybody. The family took it down pretty quickly too because they couldn't get it to stay open. whoops.
photos by set photographer
It's a good idea and someone should invent one that actually works, but i'm not that person, apparently. Don't worry this is the last time that i attempt this. I will say that what is extra bad about these tv's is that they have to share the focus with the fireplace and it detracts from the fireplace. In other houses i take a different approach, but also the floorplan allows for the tv to not have to share the same focal wall as the fireplace.
Look how effing cute they are. Its stupid how cute they are. 
yes!!!
Reader Comments (23)
Looks great! I love that gazelle and that aqua tufted couch!
I know I comment an awfully lot these days but I'm loving all these posts! These pics are awesome and you are what I would call a wall paper genius! It's beautiful!!
Loving those ikat chairs! Also I've been thinking about this couch for days.
I'd love to have some hints on what the heck to do with a TV...I hate it in front of a window, I hate it as the focal point of a room, I hate it over the fireplace, there is really nowhere good to put the darn thing. Love to see some rooms that work with a TV since my husband didn't agree that we should just get rid of it.
Hi Emily, do you mind emailing me a pic of the rug? I might be interested in buying it if you haven't sold it already.
I have been following and rooting for you since the beginning of Design Star, and I am in love with your new show (also caught the sneak preview episode a while back).
I finally got a chance to watch as I had been traveling quite a bit, and loved the final outcome. My favorite is that Japanese grass cloth: I am truly inspired to find some of my own. Who would have thought bohemian/global and mid century modern but it wowed!
I'm so glad you said that just about any 2 styles can be combined. PLEASE explain this to my husband who thinks that if you do one style in a room, EVERYTHING else has to be that style or it doesn't "go". Grrrrr!
I need your help to break him out of this matchy-matchy craziness Emily!
Not only am I making plans to get to the Rose Bowl Flea way EARLY this month, but I'm also bringing along some clips from your blog as inspiration! Love the last look- perfect mix of earthy modern and grown-up chic. Also love how you floated the couch in a balanced way between the dining and living rooms. I've been struggling with that myself since our living room is a huge open space and I don't want the couch squashed up against a wall. Fantastic*
Love the show.
i luv, luv, this room! you did an incredible job & it would suit my style just fine! those ikat/leather chairs are beauties and really liked how you incorporated the black chairs they had into the dining room. fantastic!
Emily,
I will gladly take the Ikea rug off your hands. I'm in South Pasadena and could get it anytime this week!
All the best,
Erin O.
Yes! I just had an "ah ha" moment. The first look is great on its own, but formulaic. It looks "decorated". Layered with the peices from the second look, the room is so much more livable, personal, and stylish. It is sophisticated without trying too hard. Love it.
What's the source on the family room rug? I love it.
Pretty pretty please give up the paint color! I have my fingers crossed that it's not custom and that I can actually go to a store and buy it!
Love, love, love the room!!! But, Ikea wouldn't take the rug back? I bought a rug from Ikea here in MA and my husband thought it was boring, and I took it back to them, even after I had it laying out in my living room for over a week. I thought they took anything back as long as you had the receipt and were within the return time frame. That's a bummer for you, but I am sure that someone will buy it from you, (even if the only reason they are is so they can say...Emily Henderson picked out this rug) :)
Loved this episode, Emily -- great work so far! Can't wait to see more episodes.
Seems like you're just shooting the show in LA now -- any chance you'd shoot some in Portland? We'd be very eager guinea pigs!
I love all of it!!! It looks amazing! I especially love the dining room and the fabric you used on the chairs and how it works with the rug. Fabulous!
Rarely can I find a designer that I just LOVE everything they do. I'd make you my DIVINE cinnamon rolls if you come to Oregon and decorate for me!! (That's my only spare currency at the moment...) Of course, I love this room and my favorite are those leather sling-armed chairs. Overall it's such a feel-good room!
Awesome stuff Emily! You're the only designer on HGTV who I feel is totally my style. Love that BoHoMo! Thanks for sharing all these great sources. I just love to watch your show and then read all these great insights. It adds such a unique and interesting layer to your shows. And I totally noticed that Antonio used those poofs from CB2 in his show too. I'm pretty sure David Bromstad used them in one of his recent shows too. I guess great minds think alike! Keep up the great stuff!!!
I loved both looks, but this one was definitely more "lived in." Love, love, love.
I have really enjoyed the show & have set my recorder to catch it every week :) <---- That's the definition of commitment from me toward a TV show.
One question - in this episode I loved the round coffee table in the space & thought it just worked so well. What happens if a home owner says, "LOVE the second look, but can I swap out the XYZ for the one that was here before?" Do they get to do that? Or are they on the hunt for their own version of the piece?
You are a refreshing break from the current HGTV focus on real estate selling TV shows. And I learn something (like that I wish I had more empty spaces in my home so I could go shopping).
I can't get over the fact that you do this! It's so great to know where to find things after loving them on the show!!! Can't wait for your post on the most Industrial Kitsch episode...I'm dying to know where the antique mall and arch salvage are! All other HGTV hosts should take note! And I appreciate your honesty on the TV. Flat screens are truly the worst!
HI, Emily- I just LOVE the turquoise couch on the Mad Men meets Bohemian show. Can you tell me where you got it? I would love to have two like it in a different color. Thanks, Juli :)
This was my favorite episode yet! Totally my style. Love, love, love the second look. So beautiful. Would look great in my front room.
Do you delete comments? I left a comment that was mostly complimentary but now it's gone. I sure hope you don't edit comments but I can't imagine why it would have disappeared.