Bohemian Modern: Imaginative and Affordable Ideas for a Creative and Beautiful Home

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.

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 wild mix of color and pattern meet in a modern environment. Whitewashed walls and polished concrete floors are brought to life by vibrant Moroccan rugs and wall hangings, wicker chairs draped with tactile throws, and a veritable jungle of house plants—clustered in pots, hanging from the ceiling, and even growing on the walls. The style certainly gives a nod to ’70s chic, with its use of shagpile rugs, Swiss cheese plants, and macramé, but it stands firmly in the present day by boldly contrasting those elements with sleek modern art on the walls and bold pops of color. Emily Henson 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 also offers up styling tricks to use at home and ideas for recycling and reuse. Next, a series of case studies take a closer look at Bohemian Modern homes and the people who live in them. From a restored barn on the breezy Moroccan coast 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.