Bohemian Modern

Emily Henson explores the elements that come together to create this eclectic, colorful, and contemporary look and draws inspiration from an array of real-life Bohemian Modern homes.

The Bohemian Modern home is a place where creativity, individuality, and a bold mix of color and pattern meet in a modern environment. Whitewashed walls and polished concrete floors are brought to life by vibrant rugs and wall hangings; a cozy rattan chair suspended from the ceiling, and a jungle of houseplants clustered in pots, hanging from the ceiling, or even growing on the walls. The style gives a nod to 1970s chic, with its use of shagpile rugs, Swiss cheese plants, and macram , but it stands firmly in the present day by boldly contrasting those elements with sleek modern art and polished concrete worksurfaces.

Emily starts by taking a look at the different facets of the look: pattern and color, textiles, handmade pieces, living with houseplants, and collections and display. She offers up styling tricks to use at home and timely ideas for recycling and reuse. Next, a series of case studies take a closer look at free-spirited and creative homes and the people who live in them. From a restored barn on the coast of Morocco to a former parking garage in the Netherlands that's been converted into a flexible family live/work space, Emily shows that any home can have Bohemian Modern style.

About the Author

Emily Henson started her career as a display artist and merchandiser for Anthropologie before venturing into styling. After many years living in LA, she returned to London, where her clients include IKEA, Anthropologie, Primark and Graham & Green. Emily also hosts talks and workshops on styling and crafting, writes a popular blog entitled Life Unstyled, and can be found on Instagram. She lives in London with her two children.