Hello friends!
Welcome back to the Curio Spotlight Series, our project focused on highlighting our favorite interior designers. Today's edition features Julia Miller of Yond Interiors fame. Julia has the most incredible eye, and we got to spend some time learning about where she finds inspiration, how she describes her style, and how she uses vintage rugs in her designs.
Tell us your story! How did you get started in design? How long have you been in the industry?
I started my career in clinical social work and practiced for 12 years before transitioning to interior design. My story was a little twisty but perfectly timed for my life. In 2018 I started a renovation on my own home, and the following we received from Instagram catapulted my interest and ability to step into the interiors world. I had always been interested in interiors, but it took a big life shift and some perfect timing to make it happen. Since then, Yond has been growing and changing with every year. We are a studio of five, serving clients nationwide on a variety of residential and commercial projects.
Design by How would you describe your design style?
This one is hard because we like to think of ourselves as narrative-driven, client informed -- meaning that we take cues from our clients, their homes and landscapes to inform our work. All of our work has several throughlines that make it distinctively ours, such as the integration of natural materials and use of vintage or one-of-a-kind pieces. Our style in the past has been described as warm, textural, balanced, and earthy.
We know you just spent some time in Japan! Is travel where you find most of your inspiration? What types of experiences do you seek when traveling in order to influence your design work?
YES! I love to travel and gather so much inspiration from the way other people live and create. I've had the joy of traveling and living abroad and that combined with my social work experience has really given me a lovely perspective on the importance and uniqueness of the way we live. When I'm traveling, I try to find the small, off-the-beaten path sorts of places. I feel like I'm always interested in how people really live and seek to experience as much authentic life as possible!
Design by Yond Interiors | Photo by Taylor Hall O'Brien
What is your favorite part of the design process? What is your favorite room in the house to design?
The concepting part of the project where all things are possible is my very favorite part of the process. We conceptualize our projects through both aspirational and functional lenses, with the hopes of offering our clients a completely new perspective on their home. I personally love designing living rooms and bedrooms. Bedrooms are often places people think to design last, but I disagree! We spend so much time resting and being in our bedrooms and I love the idea of giving someone a great place to spend their night.
Let's talk about vintage rugs! How do you go about choosing a rug for a design? Do you start with the rug or add it after the design is complete? How do you decide between vintage and modern rugs for a space?
Every space comes together so different, but the importance of the rug remains! Our design work starts with a concept. This helps us understand how the space needs to connect to the rest of the house, the feeling we want the space to have, and the type of function the client needs. Integrating the rug into the early stages of the design process allows us to make sure that the rug is a well-considered part of the design. The choice between a vintage and modern design really is established during the concept phase.
What is your favorite space you have ever designed?
I think it has to be the living room at Yond Cottage (photo below). I think that the living room at the cottage is my favorite space I've designed because of the loveliness of the north shore. The setting is so gorgeous and special to me so it's easy to adore everything about the cottage.
Design by Yond Interiors | Photo by Erin Little
Is there any challenge about the design industry you could change or want improved?
I would love to figure out how to get smaller makers more press and interest in the design world. With the onset of bigger box, fast-fashion interior home stores, we've lost the value of the handmade.
What are your hobbies outside of design?
I adore running! I find that running and hiking clear my head and allow me to truly enjoy the moment. I also have two elementary aged kids, so they keep me busy and I love every day I get to spend with them!
Design by Yond Interiors | Photo by Amanda Birnie
Tell us about Yond Cottage! What was the inspiration behind it? What about it brings you joy?
The Yond Cottage was a passion project. We purchased the property mid-Covid when it felt like everything was changing and up for grabs. We purchased the property because we adore the north shore and wanted to create a place for everyone to experience intentional design in a wonderful setting. We took all the inspiration for the design from the shoreline. Nestling the home as seamlessly as possible into the landscape was very important and we wanted to provide a sense of similarity between the indoors and out.
Design by Yond Interiors | Photo by Taylor Hall O'Brien
Thanks so much to Julia for sharing all of her insights about interior design, inspiration, and our favorite: vintage rugs! To learn more about Yond Interiors, check out their Website, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube.
