Julia Green and Family
Homes
18th July, 2012
The Melbourne home of stylist Julia Green and family. Photo - Armelle Habib, Styling - Julia Green.
Front sitting room. Photo - Armelle Habib, Styling - Julia Green.
Julia Green in her fabulous kitchen! Artwork far right wall is 'Tranquil Grace' by Sarah Wood - purchased from Otomys.com. Photo - Armelle Habib, Styling - Julia Green.
OK so today’s fabulous family home belongs to one multi-tasking local creative whose work you’ve seen a few times on TDF before - Melbourne interiors stylist and creative agent Julia Green! Julia shares her wonderful home in Melbourne's Caulfield with husband Adam and their two boys Max (9) and Jesse (2). The family have been here for the past four years, since purchasing the home on a bit of a whim after it was passed in at auction.
‘We bought this house in our pyjamas - true story!’ says Julia. ‘We used to live in a little Spanish mission house in East St Kilda that was uber cool, but the size of a postage stamp' Julia recalls. 'One morning, around the breakfast table, we found a house not far from us that had passed in at auction the previous day. We rang the agent - she told us we had five minutes to get there, inspect it and make an offer! We raced over, and within moments of walking through the front door, we had made an offer!’.
The house had a great layout and was on a fantastic generous block, but when Julia and family first got hold of it, the interior was was very French provincial - each room was painted pale lemon with ‘wedding cake curtains’! Julia and Adam set to work - they painted the entire interior white, changed every light fitting, removed all those flouncy curtains and replaced them with white plantation shutters. Carpet was removed throughout and the timber boards polished, and to finish, a big deck and a pool were added outdoors! Ooh la la. The result is a seriously polished family home with wonderful generous proportions, no shortage of brave colour, and just a hint of luxe.
‘I love my home because it is my sanctuary, and the place where I feel most happy’ says Julia. ‘It is full of love and we have all put our own stamp on it. Our collectibles represent a love of old and new - it is not a gallery or museum but an amass of stuff we all love’.
Of course, Julia’s home also benefits greatly from her innate stylists’ eye, and the contacts she has made since joining the wacky world of editorial styling in recent years! After a long career in the pharmaceutical industry, Julia moved into interiors styling just three years ago, after a chance meeting with a photographer from Vogue Living. She’d always had a creative leaning and passion for interiors and design, but it wasn’t until becoming a mum, and spending a little time away from the rat race, that she had time to re-consider her career.
I must admit I don't think I've met met anyone with such immense energy and determination to navigate a successful career change after two kids – it seems 17 years in the pharmaceutical industry has given Julia an incredible work ethic and unshakeable drive! It’s clear how much she is relishing her new role, contributing stories to House and Garden, Home Beautiful and various other Australian publications.
‘It makes my heart sing’ say Julia of her newfound creative career. ‘It is a true love and passion, and being paid is a total bonus. I am living proof that if you love something and can back yourself, (and surround yourself with the right people) - you can make it happen’. Such an inspiring story from one seriously motivated self starter!
Julia’s chief collaborator is Melbourne photographer Armelle Habib, who she was very keen to mention as her biggest creative influence, referring to Armelle as ‘nothing shy of the BEES KNEES!’ Ha ha! Indeed - Armelle's shots are always stunning, and we’re super grateful to both these ladies for the beautiful shots they have contributed for today’s story.
Outside of styling, Julia also runs a wholesale homewares agency - Greenhouse Interiors - mentoring and representing up and coming designers in the marketplace. Julia’s infectious enthusiasm for local design make her the perfect spokesperson for other creatives – she sings the praises of her talented brood at every opportunity, gathering stockists and all-important media coverage for them wherever she can. On her books presently are five super talented local artists and makers (check out the Greenhouse Interiors website for more info) - they really are so fortunate to have her backing and support.
Sheesh. With two young kids at home, shoots and editorial projects on the go, plus a bunch of local creatives to mentor and spruik - I get the impression Julia really doesn’t seem to get much sleep!
Massive thanks to Julia for sharing her beautiful home with us today, and once again to Armelle Habib for all the fabulous shots. Do pop by Julia’s website to learn a little more about her work and the artists she represents!
Julia's front sitting room is one of her favourite spots, she especially loves curling up by the fireplace with a bottle of red on a cold winter day! Julia is OBSESSED with her new wire chandelier from Fenton and Fenton. *Sigh* YES agreed, its so stunning in this room! Photo - Armelle Habib, Styling - Julia Green.
Daybed, all cushioned up (!!), in the sitting room. Photo - Armelle Habib, Styling - Julia Green.
Hallway details - Photo - Armelle Habib, Styling - Julia Green.
Hallway details (Love that pretty timber panelling) Photo - Armelle Habib, Styling - Julia Green.
Master bedroom - ' I love my pink bedroom' says Julia. 'Poor husband has given up fighting the pink battle!'. Artwork above bed by Pia Blair (another of the artists Julia represents), artwork on left wall by Rosetta Santucci.
Spare Bedoom - artwork above bed by Emma Cleine / Lumiere Art and co, one of the artists Julia represents. Photo - Armelle Habib, Styling - Julia Green.
Spare bedoom details - Photo - Armelle Habib, Styling - Julia Green.
Spare bedoom details, cushion by Emma Cleine / Lumiere Art and co. Photo - Armelle Habib, Styling - Julia Green.
Very posh and grown up bathroom! Photo - Armelle Habib, Styling - Julia Green.
Fabulous boys room for Max (9)! Artwork (right) by David Bromley, purchased from local gallery Louey and Lane. Photo - Armelle Habib, Styling - Julia Green.
Sweet kids details. Artwork (right) by David Bromley, purchased from local gallery Louey and Lane. Photo - Armelle Habib, Styling - Julia Green.
Cheeky Jesse's bedroom! - Photo - Armelle Habib, Styling - Julia Green.
