IMAGES Julia's own

Julia’s home doubles as not only her jaw dropping abode but also her workspace. After almost 10 years of curating her blog; ‘Studio Home’ and its attached projects, Julia has finally graduated from a desk in her bedroom via some long years in her living room to an entire, exclusive room.

Knowing no difference, she finds working at home an absolute treat. Like anyone, working at home or in a remote location Julia has come to know her times of day when she is most productive and can get most of her important work done and dusted. Residing in Linwood, Christchurch within a 1911 villa. The home without a doubt has amazing bones and its owners have taken great care in preserving its character and retaining many of its original features.

What is home to you?

Home to me has a lot to do with my “stuff”. Having moved town every 3 years since I left school (that’s 16 years!), I’ve found that I place a ton of personal comfort in being surrounded by the art I’ve collected, plants I’ve managed to not kill, framed photos, little collections of knick knacks, rocks, old vases etc. I like to think of it all as a slowly rotating, visual diary of my life and interests. Now that
I’ve permanently put roots down in Canterbury and have found a home to share with my partner with no “move out date”, things are changing a little. I still love rehoming and moving stuff around the house BUT strange new things are on offer including growing a garden (that I LIKE!) and the chance to actually paint rooms to suit! It’s really exciting and totally consuming at times... whoops!

“Like all good things, this will take time but the planning and chance to really reflect our own aesthetic in the place is such a pleasure anyway.”

Are you a hunter or gatherer (in regards to your finds and home style)?

Definitely both a hunter AND a gatherer!

If you could have a cuppa with one person dead or alive who would it be?

At the moment it would be with Chip and Joanna from HGTV’s Fixer Upper! Fan girl! 3 words to describe your home interior and style? Casual. Layered. Personal.

What inspires you?

“Art and the people behind the work. The art in my house, in other peoples, that I read about in books and magazines, view in galleries or that I write about. I don’t think I have any well formed reason why – I just like seeing what other people can conjure up with their own hand.” “Antique stores.

“Instagram is a major hotspot of inspiration for me. I get lost down the rabbit hole of the stories and images daily...”

I use the word “antique” loosely! I just love to rummage through rooms of items that aren’t new. I don’t even care if they aren’t “artfully old”, I just really relish the hunt and the resulting treasure in its new place at home. I even get inspired by watching other people do this on tv! HGTV’s Fixer Upper is current favourite” “Nature and history. Old huts, homesteads, flowers, gardens, skies, long views and late afternoon. I’m a bit of a romantic and love all things rustic, ramshackle and a little wild.”

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