This month, meet Julie Brown, a Michigan-based interior designer. We love working with our designers in our showroom and have had the privilege of working with Julie to help her client's dreams a reality!
What inspired you to become an interior designer?
It all started when I was younger, and we transferred a lot with my dad’s job. I remember being 5 years old and viewing houses with my parents and realtors. I fell in love with getting to go through so many houses. My mom had a passion for design, for amazing pieces of furniture, and we had fun wallpaper in all of our houses. I was the girl that played with Barbies until age 12 just to make “cool” apartments for Barbie and Co.
How would you describe your design style in three words?
“A Forever Style”
What is your favorite project you've worked on and why?
That’s a tough question to answer. Each project brings so much to the table. I was lucky enough to have my first “new build” 23 years ago. The house was anything but small. Both my life and my client’s lives had a lot going on during the start of breaking ground, and through the 2 years it took to complete. There were great days and hard days. There were some nights I spent working on it until 3:00 a.m, making sure I had everything the house needed as well as all of the client's desires. To this day, I still get to decorate the house for every Christmas and special family events. We have renovated a couple rooms since it was built, but for the most part almost every square inch still looks amazing. It is traditional with a large punch of color which just makes you happy from room to room! There is nothing better than having clients who trust in you for over 20 plus years!
How do you incorporate the client's personality into your designs?
Our initial meeting at their home gives me tons of information about the special pieces they own and style. Implementing their wish list and incorporating what they already have is key for me to work into the design.
What are some common challenges you face as an interior designer, and how do you overcome them?
Honestly, each work day and hour are never the same as the day before. I have numerous large and small projects going daily, demands a lot of project management. Communication with clients and tradesman has to be constant and working with everyone's schedules can be challenging. often I pull into random parking lots every day and use them as an office to not forget to call, text or email any information I need to pass on for the projects. If you think you're going to remember and then get side tracked…. Not good!
How do you stay updated on industry trends and innovations?
More than anything I still love our good ol’Home Magazines. Traditional Home, House Beautiful, and my very Favorite, Atlanta Homes. I still have magazines from the 1980s. Also, I am at showrooms looking at new products more than at a computer.
What trends are you currently excited about in the world of interior design?
All the amazing fringe, decorative tapes, color, and just about everything that has made a “comeback."
Can you share any upcoming projects or collaborations you're excited about?
A current project that I'm excited about is a family cottage. It’s so much fun working with the family generations. The original 1850’s cottage was demoed about 4 months ago and beforehand the homeowners made special trips to save their favorite pieces of the original 1 bathroom cottage that flying squirrels had been taking over for years. We are now using these pieces for the new cottage. It's so fun to see how happy everyone is at our meetings and hearing all the family stories from all these years. I can’t help but think of how many amazing memories will be had in the years to come. If only those walls could talk!
Anything else you would like to highlight or share?
Millwork - Millwork - Millwork. It gives such character forever! Wallpaper in at least (1) room of each project. It's always so fun to bring the Modern Hardware order to the job site and see it after installation — the icing on the cake. There are very challenging days, but never give up. There is nothing better than being able to go through the final walk through with your clients and having them tell you how happy they are and how much they love everything. Their gratitude and gratefulness makes everything worth it! ❤️
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