The conservatory is a very special favourite spot for Julia from the Instagram account @juempati – and looking at it, we can see why. We visited the freelance PR and social media consultant and mother of two at her house in Dortmund in Germany and got to know her from a very personal side. In this interview, Julia tells us what makes the conservatory so special, and her colourful interior shows how you can bring summer into your home even in the dark months.
Julia, tell us where and how you live.
I live with my husband and our six-year-old twins in a house we found around five years ago after a long search. My husband and I knew straight away: this is it! That first impression hasn't changed to this day – we love our house very much.
Describe yourself in a few words.
People who've known me for a while would probably say I'm someone who likes drinking coffee at night, binge-watches series with her husband, loves wearing dresses, adores handmade ceramics and (children's) art, likes to live on custard pastries and cinnamon buns, doesn't have a DIY gene and likes laughing at herself and her children. And they'd be 100% right [laughs].
Classics or trend pieces? How would you describe your interior style?
You'll find both at our place. We like a colourful mix – and "colourful" is the key word: monochrome interiors aren't for us. We've developed a particular colour palette that runs through the whole house and is reflected in the accessories and pictures too. I especially enjoy incorporating handmade pieces, such as pictures and ceramics by artists or small workshops, because in my eyes pieces like these give a home character.
Is there an interior trend you really don't like, and are there any no-gos when furnishing?
As I said, monochrome interiors aren't my thing, because I simply enjoy the interplay of colours too much. Other than that, I'd never buy design replicas. It wouldn't be about other people possibly noticing, but about my personal feeling. The "relationship" with the piece of furniture just wouldn't be right.
Which interior brands will we find in your home?
I love Scandinavian interior style: relaxed and cosy, but always with great eye-catchers and pretty colours. That's why we have lots of Nordic brands such as Woud, Ferm Living, Muuto, Finarte, Hay, AYTM and Audo.
Tell us your three personal interior favourites and what makes them so special to you.
The Skirt Coffee Table from Woud has an exciting, asymmetrical shape and is the perfect coffee table size for us. I like the Gatto table lamp from Flos for its extravagant silhouette and the unusual feel of its resin fibre coating. At the moment I've really taken to the Pond mirror from Ferm Living – once again it's the shape that caught my attention: inspired by flowing
water, it's not just eye-catching in itself, but presents everything reflected in it like a picture.
One of the highlights that catches our eye straight away is the conservatory.
Our house dates from 1969. The previous owners added the conservatory, together with a small extension (which is now our dining room), in the 1990s – more or less with their own hands.
How big is your conservatory, and how have you furnished it?
The conservatory is on two levels and measures around 25 - 30 m². As it's the transition to the garden, it was important to me to furnish it in colours and materials that are as natural as possible. It should invite you to relax, and the view of the garden shouldn't be distracted by too much. Comfortable seating was important to me, but we also needed some discreet storage space for our tableware.
How do you use the conservatory?
Mainly for relaxing, drinking coffee and reading, but our visitors like spending time there too. And last but not least, we dry our laundry there, because it dries in no time [laughs].
What do you need to bear in mind with a conservatory, and what challenges are there?
Since our conservatory is home-made – planned and built by the previous owners themselves – it unfortunately isn't as well insulated as modern conservatories. That's why you feel the cold and heat particularly strongly here. When we moved in, we first set up our dining room in the conservatory, but that turned out to be impractical because of the temperatures in winter and summer. Another challenge is certainly cleaning the windows, as our conservatory is fully glazed.
Do you often redecorate the conservatory?
Actually, yes, I've redecorated the conservatory quite a few times, because I'm always looking for the perfect balance between relaxation and practicality. Since our kitchen is relatively small, the conservatory has to offer some storage space. But the focus is on cosiness.
Do you follow a particular colour concept?
The basic concept is always light tones, broken up by colours – some of them bright. I love it when colours run through the whole house like a common thread, so that a harmonious overall look comes about instinctively.
Which products have you added most recently?
The Roots sofa from Karup Design, which is wonderfully compact and comfortable but also converts into a double bed, so there's nothing standing in the way of overnight guests. The Plissé kettle from Alessi – I fell in love with its pleated shape straight away, and it's echoed in the Lyngby vase or the Flos Gatto table lamp, for example (I just love it when shapes and colours are repeated across several pieces). And the Kink vase from Muuto, which fits in beautifully here thanks to its playful, unusual shape and light blue colour.
Tell us your personal favourite spot in your home.
I have lots of favourite spots, but whatever the weather, the conservatory is always a wonderfully relaxing place to drink a coffee, read a book or let your gaze wander over nature.
What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail?
My long-term plan is to set up something of my "own". At the moment I'm playing with a few ideas, and one of them has already won out in my head. I don't want to give too much away yet, but it has to do with handmade products. But don't panic – not made by me [laughs].
Which designs are still on your wish list?
I'd love to give two Wishbone Chairs from Carl Hansen a home. Apart from that, something for lounging in the garden would be great – from Cane-line, for example. And I love the colour combination options Montana offers.
Shop the look
Julia, thank you so much for the inspiring interview!
www.instagram.com/juempati
Photos: susannebeimann.de
