Life Unstyled: How to embrace imperfection and create a home you love

We are bombarded by perfect interiors, images that aren’t attainable because they have been styled to the point where they bear no resemblance to reality. These interiors may be stunning, but they aren’t an honest reflection of how we really live and I think they make us feel bad about our own less-than-perfect homes.

Life Unstyled is about taking inspiration from real homes that are beautiful, creative and inspiring but at the same time a little rough around the edges, with signs of everyday life evident throughout.

The first section, ‘Homes Unstyled’, sets out Emilly’s manifesto for creating a stylish home that is beautiful but lived in. A Home is Never Done advocates allowing your space to evolve gradually so it is an ever-changing expression of your tastes and interests. Work with What You’ve Got suggests ways to make the most of the home you have rather than yearning for unattainable perfection. Signs of Life offers ideas for wrangling papers, clutter and other stuff. Creative Clutter tackles collections and displays, while Break the Rules rejects style diktats and shows how individuality can bring a home to life. The second section, ‘People Live Here’, visits real-life homes that are definitely not perfect yet display incredible style and creativity and reflect their owners’ needs, tastes and style. And throughout the book, quick fixes, DIY makes and ‘ Every Home Should Have…’ boxes offer creative solutions with unique results.