Storyline

HGTV Design Star winner Emily Henderson discovers the individualized taste of homeowners, then uses their unique sense of style to customize a room in their home. Layer by layer, she designs gorgeous and personal new look.

First Aired

2011-02-26
Last Aired

2012-07-18
Creator
Genre

Reality
Seasons

2
Episodes

26
Status

Returning Series
Language

English
Network

Home Network

Keywords:

fashion stylist

Stream and watch Secrets from a Stylist

Season 1

Season 2

1. Hollywood Regency Meets Country Club Chic

Design Star winner Emily Henderson styles out a living room in the new home of newlyweds Bobby and Hil...More

Design Star winner Emily Henderson styles out a living room in the new home of newlyweds Bobby and Hillary who live in the Hollywood Hills. Having gained a thorough understanding of their diverse interests and tastes, Emily redesigns their living room in two layers, each with a style all its own. Emily's first look has a glamorous luxurious flare that she calls Hollywood Regency. The final look combining both looks is called Hollywood Country Club.Less

30mins 2011-02-26

2. Mad Men Bohemian

Emily helps the Ravals, an artsy Culver City family, find form and function while also reflecting thei...More

Emily helps the Ravals, an artsy Culver City family, find form and function while also reflecting their free spirited style. A quick tour of the family's space and a style diagnostic are all Emily needs to get started. Her first look is all about 60s chic. Clean lines, calming colours, and mid-century modern furnishings create a cozy yet stylish environment for this busy family to unwind in after a long day. For her second look, Emily draws inspiration from the Ravals' creative, color-friendly lifestyle as she incorporates elements of bohemian charm in to the space.Less

30mins 2011-03-05

3. Single Malt Nouveau

Emily helps the Chos create a cozy and chic environment in their cavernous living room. A tour of the ...More

Emily helps the Chos create a cozy and chic environment in their cavernous living room. A tour of the home and a style diagnostic reveal a clashing of design tastes. Emily identifies the differences and offers to help the pair find semblance in their space, one layer at a time. Emily's first look aims at perspective rather than good taste as she transforms the Chos living room into an over-the-top artsy pink palace; showing design dominant Joy Cho why two styles are better than one. With the drama out of the way, Emily makes room for her final look, which combines a more subdued version of Joy's artsy personality with elements of her husband Bob's slightly mysterious, minimalistic sensibilities.Less

30mins 2011-03-19

4. Industrial Kitsch Loft

Emily helps the Muzio's liven up their extra large loft. A tour of the space and a style diagnostic co...More

Emily helps the Muzio's liven up their extra large loft. A tour of the space and a style diagnostic confirm this playful pair will need something that combines whimsy with workmanship. Emily's first look is a kitschy, 50s inspired space with bright colors, bold patterns and multi-functional vintage furnishings. Her second look makes use of raw materials and a few architecturally unique finds to highlight the old-world charm of this historically significant home.Less

30mins 2011-03-12

5. Southern Romance Meets Scottish Charm

Emily helps the Osbornes combine southern romance with a bit of Scottish country charm. A tour of the ...More

Emily helps the Osbornes combine southern romance with a bit of Scottish country charm. A tour of the home and a style diagnostic determine what two styles will work best in this quaint, family-oriented space. Emily's first look is inspired by Clarke's Southern upbringing. Soft, clean lines, light colors, and airy fabrics create a romantic ambiance, while structured, stark white furniture gives the room a bit of edge. Emily's final look draws from Nick's more traditional style sense. Casual, comfortable fabrics, and rustic craftsman furnishings give the room a modern country feel. A few Scottish accessories round of what's sure to be a crowd pleaser.Less

30mins 2011-03-26

6. Mantique Minimalism

Emily helps the Carters combine their clashing styles into one clean and contemporary look. A quick to...More

Emily helps the Carters combine their clashing styles into one clean and contemporary look. A quick tour of the home and a style diagnostic determine this newlywed couple is a combination of Chic Boutique and Rustic American. With a concept in mind, Emily re-styles the Carters living/dining space, layer-by-layer. Her first look is inspired by the sophisticated feel of a boutique hotel. Clean lines, glossy textures and low-level furnishings create a sleek and savvy environment for this trendy young pair. For her second look, Emily incorporates a few rustic, colonial-style furnishings for a warmer, more all-American feel.Less

30mins 2011-04-02

7. California Spanish Mod

Emily helps the Gaines revive their Spanish style home with a modern twist. Lauren and Andre Gaines ar...More

Emily helps the Gaines revive their Spanish style home with a modern twist. Lauren and Andre Gaines are a fun and funky Los Angeles couple who've recently purchased a beautiful, Spanish style home that seems to have lost a bit of its character. A tour of the space and a style diagnostic conclude Lauren and Andre are both partial to modern, organic designs. Since the Gaines have similar tastes, Emily decides to use the architecture of their home as the inspiration for the first layer of this redesign. Her second layer integrates the Gaines' fresh and earthy aesthetic.Less

30mins 2011-04-09

8. Modern Urban Beach

Emily helps a couple of friends create a beach-chic guesthouse for all to enjoy. Josh and Sarika Licht...More

Emily helps a couple of friends create a beach-chic guesthouse for all to enjoy. Josh and Sarika Lichtman have been struggling to outfit their Santa Monica guesthouse for a few years now and, with a baby on the way, they'd like Emily's help getting the place together before the parade of family and friends show up! They envision a stylish, multifunctional, living/working/sleeping space but merging their very different tastes has proven to be quite the challenge. A tour of the space and a style diagnostic reveal these soon-to-be parents are a combination of beach-casual and classic-urban. With baby Lichtman just days from arrival, Emily quickly gets to work!Less

30mins 2011-04-16

9. Country Pop

Emily helps the Kelsays bring color and creativity to their dreary family room. Su and Devin Kelsay re...More

Emily helps the Kelsays bring color and creativity to their dreary family room. Su and Devin Kelsay recently built an addition to their home and have decided to use the space as their family room. Unfortunately the room lacks both storage and overall style. Emily performs a style diagnostic on the pair and determines that while they seem to be drawn to the same styles, there are two very distinct styles that would best reflect their family. Emily sets out to transform the Kelsays' new space, layer-by-layer, beginning with a look she calls ''Whimsical Country''. Her second look will incorporate ''Playful Pops'' of color and texture.Less

30mins

10. Eclectic Cool

Emily helps a soft-spoken bachelor and his vivacious girlfriend rev up their living space. Jonte and K...More

Emily helps a soft-spoken bachelor and his vivacious girlfriend rev up their living space. Jonte and Ke'Yuanda have been dating for a few years now and, while they're not quite ready to settle down and move in together, both agree that Jonte's living space is where they tend to hang out the most. Unfortunately the room is mostly barren, aside from the oversized, overused black leather sofa. Jonte realizes he's getting older and should have a room that reflects his mature sensibilities. Ke'Yuanda, on the other hand, is confident that Jonte will eventually ''put a ring on it'' and thinks he should preemptively incorporate some of her style in to the space. A tour of the space and a style diagnostic help Emily formulate a master design plan. She begins with a quintessential bachelor pad ? bold, masculine, and fit for a king. For her second look, Emily sneaks in a few softer elements to make the space more girlfriend-friendly.Less

30mins

11. Tuscan Modern

Emily helps a single dad declutter his LA townhome. Mike Wirsta and his 8-year-old daughter Hannah sha...More

Emily helps a single dad declutter his LA townhome. Mike Wirsta and his 8-year-old daughter Hannah share a small, but comfortable, multi-tiered townhome in west Los Angeles. Since moving in to the home, Mike has spent most of his time and resources customizing his daughter's bedroom to suite her ever-changing interests. While making his daughter happy is his first priority, he admits he probably should have spent a little more time taking care of the common areas of the home. Mike's living and dining areas are littered with mismatched furniture, a cluttered workspace, and an array of baseball memorabilia. A tour of the space and a style diagnostic help Emily pinpoint what looks would compliment Mike's design tastes. Her first look is inspired by Tuscan-style living. Warm tones, warn materials, and subtle European details, give the space a classy, cultured feel. The second look incorporates a few modern, slightly edgy, pieces to keep the space looking current.Less

30mins

12. Mid-Century Artist

Emily helps the Downings ? an adorable Los Angeles family of four ? create a fabulous, kid-friendly, l...More

Emily helps the Downings ? an adorable Los Angeles family of four ? create a fabulous, kid-friendly, living space! Jerry and Joy Downing recently remolded their home and are having difficulty styling the new space. They love the layout and are happy with the structural choices they've made but deciding on furnishings, paint colors, and kid-friendly accessories has been a nightmare. Jerry is your typical ''guys guy''. He likes masculine tones, simple lines, and traditional materials. Joy, a dancer by trade, is much more free spirited with her style choices. She's drawn to bold, vibrant colors, soft feminine lines, and cozy fabrics. A tour of the space and a style diagnostic help Emily confirm the couple's opposing tastes. Emily tours the space and performs a style diagnostic on the pair to determine which two styles she'll be working with. She then redesigns the Downings family room, layer-by-layer, beginning with Jerry's Mid-Century sensibilities. Her second look incorporates a few fun and colorful pieces inspired by Joy's artistic background.Less

30mins

13. Gunnin' For Style

Artists Jon and Lisa Gunn are a playful pair of LA urbanites with tons of style and little direction w...More

Artists Jon and Lisa Gunn are a playful pair of LA urbanites with tons of style and little direction when it comes to decorating. Lisa, a make-up artist, loves relaxed and comfortable furniture with a bit of color, and lots of contrast. She gravitates towards earthy tones and bohemian-style fixtures and says she'd be happy with something soft and slightly feminine. Jon, a filmmaker, likes his home as organized as his work. He describes his style as tailored and traditional and prefers clean lines and lived-in textures. Finding a way to reflect both styles has been quite the challenge and neither seems to be willing to compromise. Enter Emily, with a few stylist secrets that help blend the Gunns differing styles in to one sleek and easy look. Emily has a look at the space and performs a style diagnostic on the pair to determine what two looks she'll be working with. She begins with an ode to Lisa's hippie-esque style and then incorporates Jon's ''Easy Rider Chic'' mystique.Less