Emily Henderson Begins a New Chapter in a Classic Home

After spending 12 years in the bustling Los Angeles area, Emily Henderson and her husband Brian, a writer, decided they wanted a more peaceful life closer to family and friends, many of whom were based near Portland, Oregon. With two children, Charlie (9) and Elliot (7), plus their two playful Huskypoos, Oscar and Buttercup, they sought out a home with more space and eventually found a 113-year-old farmhouse just outside of town.

From the moment she saw it, Emily knew this farmhouse was the one. While it had plenty of challenges—like outdated laminate countertops, vinyl-covered walls, and unsightly carpeting—Emily, with her extensive design experience and a massive following of nearly a million on Instagram, could see beyond the flaws. They purchased the property in October 2020 and immediately began planning the renovation, enlisting local design experts from ARCIFORM to tackle the architectural upgrades. “The house was in dire shape, and the original layout was odd and patched together,” Emily recalls. “We had to overhaul the entire first floor to make it functional for our family.” Demo began in January 2021, and soon enough, walls came down, new windows were installed, ceilings were raised, and the entire floor plan was reimagined.

When the heavy construction finally wrapped up, Emily found herself facing the more creative decisions—and even experienced a brief design dilemma. Was she someone who loved modern farmhouse style? She wasn't sure! After browsing countless Pinterest boards, she arrived at her answer: a Shaker Scandinavian farmhouse style, inspired by local artisans. The skylights were already in place (as the Shakers believed in harnessing divine light), and Emily kept gravitating toward light oak floors and cabinetry, staples of Scandinavian design. Slowly, everything began to come together. “We’re so thrilled to finally be living in this home,” says Emily, who welcomed us inside. As our team explored the house, we uncovered plenty of cool details, met the dogs, and soaked in the inviting atmosphere.

Front Porch

The front porch exudes a playful and welcoming atmosphere, thanks in large part to the Scandinavian-inspired swing.

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Entryway Mudroom

Though this back-door mudroom primarily serves a practical purpose—with its dog-sized washtub, slip-resistant clay tile, and ample storage—Emily ensured it was visually appealing too. The rustic charm of the white oak cabinets and the subtle beauty of the bluish-green herringbone floor tiles, framed by a simple yet elegant border, add a touch of style to this hardworking space.

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Culinary Space

The standout piece in this kitchen is the 10-foot-long antique island, which once served as a store counter. Emily dedicated around eight months to tracking it down and estimates it’s roughly 150 years old. Notice how the warm reddish tones of the wood blend beautifully with the white oak cabinetry. Emily’s trick for mixing different woods is to ensure at least some are vintage or antique pieces, creating a harmonious contrast.

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Dining Nook

This is where most of the weeknight dinners and homework sessions take place, conveniently located just off the kitchen. One of Emily’s favorite details? Her handmade café curtain crafted from Japanese boro patches she sourced on Etsy. “It adds a relaxed, effortless touch, nothing too polished,” she shares.

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Master Bedroom

At one point, Emily doubted whether the shade she’d chosen (Debonair by Sherwin-Williams) was too bold for the main bedroom. However, by introducing softer accents—such as cream and dusty rose tones—she achieved a sense of harmony. (The bench at the foot of the bed, a staple in her designs for years, adds to the appeal!) Oversized artwork, a large paper pendant, and skylights also help balance out the expansive blue tones.

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Master Bathroom

The adjoining bathroom features a delightful surprise from Emily’s famously relaxed design approach: the unexpectedly large knobs on the vanity. “I’m well-known for not always measuring things, and two inches makes a bigger difference than you’d think!” Emily admits.

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Living Room

More thoughts on paint colors! “Rooms that lack natural light, like this one, need walls with some color—sometimes even a darker shade,” Emily explains. “White in a space with little natural light ends up looking flat and lifeless.” She opted for Still Water by Sherwin-Williams, paired with a light-toned live-edge coffee table (a piece that has been a part of Emily’s designs for years), which helps lift the room’s brightness while keeping it warm. For added warmth, she cleverly placed the wood-burning stove on custom drawers to elevate the fire to eye level and provide storage for board games and craft materials.

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Living Room

The living room posed the biggest challenge in terms of decor, according to Emily. “I wanted it to feel refined, yet also practical and cozy.” To keep the space from feeling overwhelming, Emily chose two matching sofas (crafted from performance fabric because, well, life happens!) and placed a single bolster pillow on each. Additionally, she opted for closed storage to conceal “the kid clutter” (as she calls it!).

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Sunroom

The living room opens into a sunroom inspired by European design, where the ceramic checkerboard tiles take center stage. “There’s something about a timeless pattern you can admire for years to come,” she reflects.

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