IntroductionFour years ago when I pitched this idea to my editor, I had no business writing a book about renovating, despite my actual business of being an interior designer. I didn’t go to design school. I’m not formally trained. And yet, this book is full of more real information, beautiful photographs of talented designers’ work, practical knowledge, and applicable trade secrets than I could ever learn in school. You see, over the last ten years, since I won HGTV’s Design Star, I put myself through a virtual design school while renovating houses on my blog, with my readers watching and waiting for the results. The pressure was intense, and the results needed to be amazing. So every day I googled “how do you design . . . fireplaces, staircases, paneling, vanities . . . ” The entire time, I wished so badly that I had a guide to this incredibly intimidating and permanent decisionmaking process. I was a stylist. I could combine pillows and choose wallpaper faster and better than almost anyone, but renovating a home? That’s a whole other beast.
Here’s the truth: Every project is chockfull of its own challenges and potential mistakes, no matter how many times the house has been renovated. Because YOUR house—that is, the one in your mind’s eye—has never been designed before. A formula does not exist. It’s not like making lasagna from a time-tested recipe, which is sure to give you fantastic results every time. Sure, I’ve designed homes in the same style, but every house is different. Every decision needs to be specific to the architecture, location, function, and style of the home, and the needs of the family that lives there. What guides the design is completely personal, which means the process is emotional in every way.
Every house I’ve renovated has been full of successes and mistakes. Some regrets are bigger than others—and the only benefit of me making them is that I get to share them with you so you don’t make the same mistake. And yet, all the successful decisions I’ve made and lessons I’ve learned have grown my confidence and pride in my work.
One of the most important things I’ve learned is that while I do get better with experience, I also find that “rules” and knowledge of “what is right” tend to restrict my creativity and quirk. No one wants to make permanent, expensive errors, but creating a generically designed home—even if it’s totally functional—is the biggest mistake you can make. Chasing trends may end in regret, but chasing what everyone else is doing can end up quite boring.
I want you to make more informed choices. You should know the rules, but I want you to be able to break them with confidence. A truly custom home should be functional, but it needs to be interesting—because you, my friend, are interesting. In part one, we teach you how to speak the language of the pros you’ll need to call on if DIY is not your thing, and we go through every element of a house—from window treatments to flooring to lighting. Then in part two, we go room by room and discuss not only how that space “should” be designed, but also highlight how you might break those rules, which is not only okay but necessary. Throughout this book, you’ll find gorgeous images of in-demand designers’ work (see page 334 for a complete listing of everyone), as well as rooms of my own to keep you inspired.
My goal is to help you create the home that you wish a designer would have designed for you. Because you are your own best designer. Welcome to
The New Design Rules.
Copyright © 2022 by Emily Henderson. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
