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Q & A with Studio Home
14 Dec, 2020
Julia Atkinson-Dunn from Studio Home has a background in interior design with a solid art addiction and a passion for making spaces her own, both indoors and outdoors. Her followers are treated to her ideas around design, styling, the delights of gardening and her own art work. We catch up with Julia for a chat about all things design, floral and home.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Homely and casual. I am a bit of a collector and am more of an ‘on display’ sort of person rather than ‘let’s edit that back’. I enjoy colour but in chalky, dirty tones rather than clear and bright.
Q: What do you enjoy most about styling a room?
A: I’m big on displaying items that remind me of moments, places and people. This is mostly reflected in collected art, photos and keepsakes. I do enjoy finding common threads of colour between very different artworks and displaying them together. I also love changing up the vibe of a room by moving furniture around and layering in texture to reflect the seasons.
Q: How does nature inspire you?
A: I got into gardening in a big way 4 years ago when we moved to this home and the reconnection with nature and the seasons has had a hugely positive effect on me. As I work from home I find myself in the garden having a wander or doing quick jobs multiple times a day. There are nearly daily changes to follow along with, something that is really transporting and instantly distracts me from any pressure from work and life in general. Essentially it is an easy recharge! Gardening and growing flowers has directly inspired my art practice and resulting work as well as forming the basis for my first book!
Q: Which is your favourite season and why?
A: Impossible to choose sorry! My garden is at its fullest in summer though so perhaps I pick that!
Q: What’s most important to you when choosing bed linen?
A: Surely one of the best parts of getting older is that you find pleasure in the simpler things. I never would have thought I could feel SO pampered by stepping up on my choices of pillows, duvets and mattress topper! The same is said for my small but great quality collection of bed linen. When choosing I consider what else I have in the cupboard so that I can have fun mixing and matching to create different vibes for the seasons.
Q: What are three things you always add to a bedroom when styling?
A: Framed photographs, special small artworks and a posy of flowers by my bed.
Q: Who or what inspires you right now?
A: I’m really inspired by gardeners from the generations above me. Their vision and patience for creating spaces working in tandem with mother nature. They are incredibly generous in their sharing of knowledge and constantly experimenting with their bit of earth.
Q: What is your next project?
A: On Sunday 13th of December my very first book, ‘Petal Power – 12 plants with personality to grow for garden and vase’ is available to be pre-ordered online with official launch into stores in mid-February 2021. It has been a dream project to create and collaborate with my Christchurch based publisher Koa Press. For the last two years I have photographed and gathered notes from my own gardening adventure to be able to compile a book for my fellow beginners, demystifying this growing thing and providing inspiration to grow flowers of their own.
