- Location
- Minneapolis, MN
- project type
- Residential
- square footage
- 2,500 sq. ft
- timeline
- 1 Year
- moodboard
- Melding 1920s Colonial style with contemporary finishes
- the challenge
- Work within a long and lean footprint
It spoke to me immediately,” says Julia Miller of Yond Interiors in her 1920’s Colonial-era home in Minneapolis. “I think it was one of those things where you know, as a person who appreciates old architecture, the bones were good” — even if the pipes froze, the fence blew down, and big structural repairs were needed.
Julia became so invested in the home’s renovations that she changed the course of her career. A former social worker, she now helms Yond Interiors to help others transform their homes, ever in search of that hard-to-pinpoint feeling of warmth, comfort, and familiarity. The feeling of home.
Inside Julia’s Project
Loloi – What do you think people notice when they first walk into your home?
Julia – The first thing that people probably notice is that we do have kids, and we very much live in our house [laughs]. Our footprint isn't huge, so there's kids' stuff, and signs of life, all over the place. But the second thing that most people tend to say is that it just has a really good feeling. It's something that’s hard to describe, but I think it's that feeling of warmth and comfort and familiarity.
Loloi – Since you started renovating your home a few years ago, how has your style evolved?
Julia – When we first did the renovation [in 2018], I chose a lot of safe finishes and colors, and I realized over time that I wanted something a little bit more rich and cozier. It's about that layer cake of finishes that communicates the totality of the experience here. I view my house as an experimental testing ground, switching things out, from furniture to rugs to wall colors or even wallpaper. It gives me the opportunity to test things before we try them with clients, but also to see just how things work.
Loloi – What was your biggest design challenge in the home?
Julia – Our home is an old 1920s Colonial and we wanted to pay homage to the age of the home but also wanted to integrate new ideas. Melding together finishes that felt respectful of the age was tricky. Also, the footprint of the house is very long and lean, so learning to work within the confines of the space was a challenge.
Loloi – How did you approach the long-and-lean challenge?
Julia – First, we decreased the depth of the fireplace mantle significantly, which allowed us to have a furniture arrangement that created more opportunities for conversation and lounging and hanging out. Then we expanded the kitchen into another secondary dining space that also could serve as a small mudroom. It was about creating almost another living space within what we had so people could spread out and enjoy themselves. And with the wood stove there, it really allows people to hang out for a while. People come and go through that space — all day, every day.
Loloi – What detail in your home are you obsessed with?
Julia – I'm obsessed with these vintage chairs that I purchased from a local vintage dealer and re-upholstered in a super soft alpaca for my son, who loves to cuddle up and read on it every morning.
Loloi – How do rugs function in your home?
Julia – Minnesota is a four-season climate, and so there's definitely a functional role that rugs play. They're also the base layer for any space. Because our house is long and lean, rugs really helped us define each space.
Loloi – You switched careers to get into design — if you could go back in time and give yourself advice as you started designing your home, what would you say?
Julia – A few things I would tell myself are that it's definitely okay to make mistakes, it's definitely okay to experiment, and that the relationships you create with the people who help you realize your designs, like furniture makers and painters, are an invaluable part of the process.
For more inspiration – @yondinteriors – Follow Julia on Instagram
yondinteriors.com – See Julia’s portfolio
About the Designer
Julia Miller is the principal and founder of Yond Interiors, a full-service studio based in Minneapolis that’s rooted in the authenticity of craft and design. Inspired by nature and historic design, Julia’s interiors create a sense of place for a true feeling of home. Her work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Rue, Domino, and more.
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