At Home With ... Julia Atkinson From Studio Home
Tell us what you think about this art-filled apartment in Auckland for you chance to win a $50 gift voucher
It was seven years ago, while working as an interior designer, that Julia Atkinson decided to launch Studio Home – a daily design blog that’s dedicated to showcasing creative talent ‘from the lands Down Under’. Now working on the site full time, Atkinson works from home out of a two-bedroom apartment that belongs to her mum and sister, and that Atkinson rents from them. From her impressive art collection that dons the walls, to her cosily decorated bedroom filled with treasures, Atkinson has truly personalised the space. Read the full interview below.
COMMENT TO WIN
To celebrate our favourite Australian bloggers and their homes, we’ll be asking each blogger in this series to choose a giveaway gift. All you have to do to enter is comment on why you love this house. The winner of Julia’s chosen prize – a $50 voucher from artist Emma Leonard – has been announced. Well done mrsnbailey!
COMMENT TO WIN
To celebrate our favourite Australian bloggers and their homes, we’ll be asking each blogger in this series to choose a giveaway gift. All you have to do to enter is comment on why you love this house. The winner of Julia’s chosen prize – a $50 voucher from artist Emma Leonard – has been announced. Well done mrsnbailey!
Photo by Bonny Stewart-MacDonald
What made you start blogging?
Before moving to Auckland, I was living in the mountains in a resort town so there was very little choice, in terms of sourcing furniture and decoration for clients, compared to a main city. Because of this, I was using the internet heavily to research local products and furniture from Australia and NZ. I vividly remember having a lightbulb moment – I could also share all my discoveries, create a free-to-access design blog with a tight focus on what’s happening Down Under, and showcase products that were relevant (and accessible) to friends and clients, at the same time. I guess, in a sense, what began as an interesting marketing experiment for my consultancy became something that I loved so much that I eventually ditched the design part and went head first into online media.
Hand artwork: Say Hola
What made you start blogging?
Before moving to Auckland, I was living in the mountains in a resort town so there was very little choice, in terms of sourcing furniture and decoration for clients, compared to a main city. Because of this, I was using the internet heavily to research local products and furniture from Australia and NZ. I vividly remember having a lightbulb moment – I could also share all my discoveries, create a free-to-access design blog with a tight focus on what’s happening Down Under, and showcase products that were relevant (and accessible) to friends and clients, at the same time. I guess, in a sense, what began as an interesting marketing experiment for my consultancy became something that I loved so much that I eventually ditched the design part and went head first into online media.
Hand artwork: Say Hola
How long have you lived in this house for and how did you and your house meet?
This is the second time I have lived in this apartment. My sister returned home from teaching English in South Korea and decided to do further study and work in Auckland. My South Island-based mum was looking for an investment, so together they purchased this place! I lived here with my sister for six months in 2007 before moving back to the South Island. After years of renting it out (my sister had since moved to Australia) I was very lucky that they hadn’t sold it and could return to take up residence again in 2012.
Felt garland: KM2 Creative x Studio Home
This is the second time I have lived in this apartment. My sister returned home from teaching English in South Korea and decided to do further study and work in Auckland. My South Island-based mum was looking for an investment, so together they purchased this place! I lived here with my sister for six months in 2007 before moving back to the South Island. After years of renting it out (my sister had since moved to Australia) I was very lucky that they hadn’t sold it and could return to take up residence again in 2012.
Felt garland: KM2 Creative x Studio Home
I moved back up from the South to Auckland specifically to give my website a better shot – at that time I felt that I needed to be in a much bigger centre to make face to face connections. Now I feel that I can travel and live anywhere else much more easily as Studio Home has become more established.
What’s your signature dish?
Mexican of any or all basic forms!
What’s your signature dish?
Mexican of any or all basic forms!
What’s your proudest DIY achievement?
I’m not a major ‘DIYer’ at all. I think that perhaps, if I owned my own place, then there would be more of that going on. Currently, my skills would probably lie more in the area of being able to find great secondhand pieces and deals.
I’m not a major ‘DIYer’ at all. I think that perhaps, if I owned my own place, then there would be more of that going on. Currently, my skills would probably lie more in the area of being able to find great secondhand pieces and deals.
What makes you happiest at home?
I really really love this place and as I work from here too, I’m happiest when I am set up at my desk, warm (sliding doors open in summer and the heater on the toes in winter) and having a great productive work day.
I’m surrounded by all my favourite art and photos (which really seems to make me feel great) and can look sideways at the Auckland skyline to see the Sky Tower. It definitely doesn’t feel like I am stuck in an traditional office as such.
I really really love this place and as I work from here too, I’m happiest when I am set up at my desk, warm (sliding doors open in summer and the heater on the toes in winter) and having a great productive work day.
I’m surrounded by all my favourite art and photos (which really seems to make me feel great) and can look sideways at the Auckland skyline to see the Sky Tower. It definitely doesn’t feel like I am stuck in an traditional office as such.
What are your favourite rooms in the house and why?
The living/working/cooking/socialising/chilling out/ ‘everything space’ on the second floor. For such a small area, it allows for all those things to happen pretty damn well!
Cowhide rug: Mooi; framed tea towel on ground: Third Drawer Down
The living/working/cooking/socialising/chilling out/ ‘everything space’ on the second floor. For such a small area, it allows for all those things to happen pretty damn well!
Cowhide rug: Mooi; framed tea towel on ground: Third Drawer Down
How would you describe your decorating style?
Having worked in the interior design industry for years and browsing so many different products and styles every day, I’ve always found it quite hard to pinpoint what I really, personally love. I like to think I can appreciate a lot of aesthetics.
I think decorating styles are really transitional as well. Mine has certainly changed a lot depending on where I have lived and what my income was at the time. However, at the moment, after looking around I’ve realised that I am pulled strongly towards natural colours, textures, materials and objects mixed with treasures and items with personal meaning.
Having worked in the interior design industry for years and browsing so many different products and styles every day, I’ve always found it quite hard to pinpoint what I really, personally love. I like to think I can appreciate a lot of aesthetics.
I think decorating styles are really transitional as well. Mine has certainly changed a lot depending on where I have lived and what my income was at the time. However, at the moment, after looking around I’ve realised that I am pulled strongly towards natural colours, textures, materials and objects mixed with treasures and items with personal meaning.
Describe your home in 5 words.
Compact, bright, textured, personal and art-heavy.
Compact, bright, textured, personal and art-heavy.
To me, great design is?
Something that works as intended for as long (or more) as intended and feels nice on your eyes.
Artwork: Lisa Lapointe
Something that works as intended for as long (or more) as intended and feels nice on your eyes.
Artwork: Lisa Lapointe
What’s your next big project?
At Studio Home, we are continuing to collaborate with great up-and-coming Down Under brands to produce products under our TEAM.WORK project. It’s a collaboration that we launched last year that has Studio Home working with exciting independent Australian and New Zealand brands to design and develop a product. We’ve had four projects to date and currently have another 4 four on the boil.
We’re also developing a travelling seminar/workshop about online media for small creative businesses, as well as slow roasting a pipe dream to meet and interview Kiwis and Aussies chasing down their own creative ventures in Europe. Just all keeps ticking over!
At home, I’d love to get a new sofa and some great comfy outdoor furniture for this summer. I’m also hoping to improve my green thumb this year and be able grow lots of potted flowers!
At Studio Home, we are continuing to collaborate with great up-and-coming Down Under brands to produce products under our TEAM.WORK project. It’s a collaboration that we launched last year that has Studio Home working with exciting independent Australian and New Zealand brands to design and develop a product. We’ve had four projects to date and currently have another 4 four on the boil.
We’re also developing a travelling seminar/workshop about online media for small creative businesses, as well as slow roasting a pipe dream to meet and interview Kiwis and Aussies chasing down their own creative ventures in Europe. Just all keeps ticking over!
At home, I’d love to get a new sofa and some great comfy outdoor furniture for this summer. I’m also hoping to improve my green thumb this year and be able grow lots of potted flowers!
What do you love to do on Sunday afternoons?
At the moment, each weekend I am attempting to jump in the car and head somewhere new that’s within an hour or so from Auckland. I’ve had some great adventures with great friends of late! The last one was an hour or so north to an amazing house in Waipu. Windy walks on a long long beach and the best roast dinner in a long time!
Artwork shot by Atkinson
At the moment, each weekend I am attempting to jump in the car and head somewhere new that’s within an hour or so from Auckland. I’ve had some great adventures with great friends of late! The last one was an hour or so north to an amazing house in Waipu. Windy walks on a long long beach and the best roast dinner in a long time!
Artwork shot by Atkinson
Can you share your biggest decorating fail with us?
I filled my car to the absolute brim to move my life back up to Auckland and on unpacking, it quickly became clear that while I had a ton of pictures for the walls, I had no jug, no frying pan, no cups – not much to assist in actual living.
I bought a desk and chair for $40 and slept on an airbed for three months. Perhaps it was more of a living fail.
White framed art: Libby Baxter; patterned linen: Fictional Objects; white pillowcases: In Bed Store; velvet bedspread Citta Design; bedside table: Nood; lamp: Farmers
I filled my car to the absolute brim to move my life back up to Auckland and on unpacking, it quickly became clear that while I had a ton of pictures for the walls, I had no jug, no frying pan, no cups – not much to assist in actual living.
I bought a desk and chair for $40 and slept on an airbed for three months. Perhaps it was more of a living fail.
White framed art: Libby Baxter; patterned linen: Fictional Objects; white pillowcases: In Bed Store; velvet bedspread Citta Design; bedside table: Nood; lamp: Farmers
You will not see [blank] in any house of mine.
Neon skulls or gold foil palm tree prints. I’m afraid that’s never going to happen.
Neon skulls or gold foil palm tree prints. I’m afraid that’s never going to happen.
Visit Julia’s blog at www.studiohomeonline.com
To celebrate our favourite Australian bloggers and their homes, we’ll be asking each blogger in this series to choose a giveaway gift. All you have to do to enter is comment on why you love this house. The winner of Julia’s chosen prize – a $50 voucher from artist Emma Leonard – has been announced. Well done mrsnbailey!
If you’d like to submit your blog for this series, follow the instructions found here.
MORE
At Home With … Stylist and Adventurer Kara Rosenlund
At Home With … Amanda O’Sullivan From RedAgape Blog
At Home With … Interior Design Blogger Lee Dewsnap
To celebrate our favourite Australian bloggers and their homes, we’ll be asking each blogger in this series to choose a giveaway gift. All you have to do to enter is comment on why you love this house. The winner of Julia’s chosen prize – a $50 voucher from artist Emma Leonard – has been announced. Well done mrsnbailey!
If you’d like to submit your blog for this series, follow the instructions found here.
MORE
At Home With … Stylist and Adventurer Kara Rosenlund
At Home With … Amanda O’Sullivan From RedAgape Blog
At Home With … Interior Design Blogger Lee Dewsnap
Where: Auckland, New Zealand
Who lives here: Julia Atkinson
Size: 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Firstly, what do we need to know about your blog?
I started Studio Home in 2008 as an extension of my small interior design practice which, at that time, was based in Queenstown. It quickly grew to be my favourite project which led me to work on and develop it further as a business. I’ve been doing it full time since 2012.
In short, it’s a daily design site that offers introductions to creative brands, people, products and businesses from New Zealand and Australia. A week of content can include anything from a young Brisbane-based furniture brand, to a new lighting design from Christchurch, an art exhibition in Auckland or an in depth interview with a jewellery designer in their Melbourne studio.
Desk and chair: Junk and Disorderly; pot plant stands: Studio Home for Trestle Union