Welcome to what I hope will be a regular series for the blog, “Step Inside”. One of the most inspiring things for me is to step inside people’s homes and see their personalities shine through. My hope is to share some of these homes with you and the inspirational people that live in them. Here we go!
My friend Julee lives a few blocks down from me, in the heart of the historic district of downtown Ocala. She lives in a beautiful pink Victorian home with her husband and 3 talented sons. Julee is someone you feel like you can talk to about anything without her thinking you are odd. In fact, if it is not the norm, you can tell she’s even more interested. She asks good questions and has insightful observations. She also relishes in the art world, and you can tell by the glimpses of her home that she surrounds her family with art. I was super inspired by her home the first time I visited, so Julee kindly allowed me to photograph it. I hope you enjoy stepping inside this lovely local home and hearing more from Julee.
Your home has so much character. What do you think it says about you?
That I like a lot of different styles and like to incorporate a variety of likes in my decor.
How would you describe your aesthetic/style?
Eclectic. Always evolving. Unexpected — putting unexpected themes/items together. I like extremes. If I didn’t live in a Victorian home, I’d like to live in a modern/stark/green home.
Where do you find your home inspiration and ideas?
Magazines, other homes, Cass Retz, friends’ ideas and opinions, TV shows/Movies. Set design has so much thought behind it and if I like a character on a show, I really look at the sets designed for their personality (if that makes sense).
Do you have an approach for decorating your home?
To work with what I have…Resourcefulness and repurposing are key for me. If something doesn’t feel right, I’ll switch it. That may mean taking down all my art and rehang pieces in other rooms. Move furniture. I get bored easily and am always striving for better function and aesthetics. My mother-in-laws jokes that every time she visits the furniture has been rearranged. Meanwhile she hasn’t moved furniture in her home for decades. Lastly, if I see something I really LOVE, I buy it (unless out of my budget). I may not know where I would put it or how it would work, but if it speaks to me, I’ll find a place. With that said, when I bring something new in I try to take something else out…I don’t want to walk over that line into clutter.
How do you think your kids will remember their home when they are older?
I think they’ll remember it fondly. They like the stairs, wood floors, the history. They have a “secret passage” between their rooms (it’s really just a closet between their rooms with doors on each side), but calling it a “secret passage” is much more fun. They love the front porch. Mostly, I hope they think of it as a place where they were loved, felt happy and safe. We’re lucky, too, that the home’s location is walking distance to downtown and parks. I do love my house, but ultimately, it’s just a house. I don’t want to be too attached to any thing. What counts is family, love and experiences shared.
What traits draw you to others’ homes?
Personalized taste. I like it when I can discover something new about a person…it may be the books they read, the art they choose, the messiness or neatness of their space. I really dislike homes that feel sterile. They may be objectively aesthetically beautiful but if there isn’t a hint of personality, it feels bland to me.
What do you splurge on in your home? Where do you save?
I splurge on art. But art is also an investment (however, I think you should only buy pieces you LIKE). I purchased two pieces by Doug Bloodworth nine years ago. This summer in Key West an art gallery was selling the same pieces (they were limited prints on canvas) ten times the amount I paid!
Where I save: I have rarely bought brand new furniture. I prefer items found in consignment stores, antique shops, sides of road…every piece has a little story behind it. I may have haggled down the price. Also, I save on having furniture passed down to me. For instance, the Persian rugs inherited from my great grandmother may not have been exactly what I would have picked for myself, but their history brings me joy. Choice is overrated….I like making do with what I have.
Which room in your house do you like the most?
My bedroom. It’s peaceful (when the laundry is put up) and has my favorite art pieces.
Thank you for opening up your home, Julee! Your personality, perspective and values shine through in every room.
