Brené with Justina Blakeney on Creating Space to Reflect Our Stories
May 12, 2021
auto_awesome
Justina Blakeney, a renowned designer and New York Times bestselling author, shares her vibrant approach to creating spaces that reflect our personal stories. She discusses how color, pattern, and plants can uniquely express individuality. Justina also touches on her journey from childhood in the Bay Area to establishing her boutique in Florence, emphasizing the impact of travel on creativity. The conversation blends practical tips on houseplant care with a humorous take on home design, showcasing the emotional connections we have with our environments.
Creating personal spaces through color and decor allows individuals to express their unique identities and stories effectively.
Justina Blakeney emphasizes that fearless self-expression in design fosters creativity and builds community around shared aesthetics.
The evolution of Justina's blogging journey highlights the importance of consistency and collaboration in transforming creative passions into successful careers.
Deep dives
Designing Spaces to Tell Stories
Using personal spaces as a form of storytelling is essential for expressing one’s identity and experiences. Many individuals, including the speaker, have embraced the concept that their home should reflect their unique narrative through colors, patterns, and decor. During the conversation, Justina Blakeney highlights how one can curate their environment to convey what truly matters to them in life. This personal approach transforms static spaces into dynamic reflections of individuality and creativity.
The Impact of Travel on Creativity
The speaker shares how travel has significantly influenced Justina’s creative journey, as early exposure to diverse cultures shaped her artistic sensibilities. Living in various environments—from the urban landscape of California to the tranquil settings of Switzerland—provided her with insights that deeply inform her design work. Experiences such as traveling with her family and studying abroad enriched her understanding of the world, sparking her wanderlust and desire to express these adventures through her art. Ultimately, these formative experiences contributed to her fearless approach to mixing aesthetics in her design.
Fearless Self-Expression in Design
Justina emphasizes how fearless self-expression plays a crucial role in her work and encourages others to embrace it. Her unique upbringing, marked by a blend of cultures, instilled in her a passion for mixing different elements in design—be it color, pattern, or texture. By dismantling conventional design norms, she promotes the idea that creativity should be playful and liberating, enabling individuals to showcase their true selves. This philosophy not only enhances personal spaces but also helps foster community among those who resonate with her designs.
The Journey of Blogging and Identity
The transformation of Justina's blogging journey into a thriving design career serves as an inspiring narrative about seizing opportunities. Initially, blogging was a platform for her creative expression without the pressure of audience expectations. As her following grew, she discovered a supportive community that resonated with her work, which led to new collaborations in interior design. This evolution underscored the importance of consistency and discipline in developing her voice and style, ultimately allowing her to realize her aspirations in the design world.
Balancing Personal and Shared Spaces
Finding a balance between individual preferences and shared decisions in living spaces can be challenging, particularly when cohabitating. Justina suggests an effective approach to achieving harmony is by collectively identifying inspirational places that evoke positive feelings for everyone in the household. Documenting these shared experiences can reveal common themes that inform a cohesive home palette. This process not only respects each person’s unique input but also strengthens connections within the living environment, making it a true reflection of a family’s collective story.
I talk with Justina Blakeney, designer, artist, and New York Times bestselling author, about how we can create spaces to tell our stories. We talk about how color, pattern, plants, and windy paths can be personalized to help express our individuality and how connecting with both our unique roots and adventures allows us to not only look at objects and space differently but also see ourselves and our worlds in new ways.
