We heart LA designer and blogger Emily Henderson. As a designer, she mixes high end, budget and vintage finds to create spaces that feel beautiful and achievable."I believe that a perfect house is like a perfect person; no one really wants to be around them and everyone secretly hates them," she says. Her Style by Emily Henderson blog mixes down-to-earth decorating advice with DIY projects and her personal journey (she's about to give birth to her second child). We're excited to share an extract from her brand new book, Styled, in which she uses a grey sofa as a style chameleon and creates 4 different looks. Visit Emily's blog post for all the details on products.

Your sofa might be the most stressed-about purchase in your home – besides your dining table and bed. If you’re in the market for a sofa and don’t know what style is best, you can be sure that going for something grey, comfortable and clean-lined will be the best decision you can make. Its surrounding details can be tweaked slightly for a refresh, or completely overhauled for a brand new room. Check it out:

 

Candy-coloured and pop contemporary

This ordinary sofa takes on femme charm under a bright, oversized painting. In fact, all of the pink in the colour palette tricks your eye into thinking the sofa is more lavender than grey. A few luxuries, like Mongolian fur, Lucite tables, and fashion books, make the sofa a sweet spot to chat with the gals.



Black, white and warmed up with wood

A two-toned colour palette and a few natural masculine materials (tusks, wood and leather) turn this living room into a grown up bachelor pad. A grey velvet sofa softens harsh black and white colours, while a big use of graphic patterns keeps it modern.



Romantic boho with a touch of traditional

Surrounded by a tonal colour palette, a grey sofa looks perfectly at home in the country. Quite, simple details thrive – a white ruffled pillow, ticking stripe fabric, clothbound books – and you instantly feel like you’ve left the city to start your vacation.



Cool coastal mixed with classic Americana

All of a sudden this sofa looks young and Portland-cool. Faking our a little vintage allure with a new sofa is easy to do when it’s raised on slim wood legs – one of the features of mid-century furniture. Surround the piece with market finds, such as a stack of old suitcases, and a collection of found sea paintings, and you’ve just made yourself look interesting.



Extract from Styled by Emily Henderson. These images by David Tsay. Click to order your copy via Amazon.