Julianne Bull of The Den Interiors in Melbourne, Australia was recently featured on Houzz TV, sharing tips on how to incorporate color into home design. We spoke with Bull to learn about her design philosophy and how she got started in the industry, as well as take a closer look at one of the projects she shares during the episode. 

How did you get started in your career?
After studying interior design I always intended to work for a professional firm but I needed flexibility to raise a family. I’m grateful for those early clients who helped me start my own business. After that, it was all hard work and perseverance. 

What is your design philosophy?
Do something that makes you feel a little bit uncomfortable. Whether it’s a paint color or the fabric of your sofa, taking risks is where the greatest designs come from.

Where’s the most unexpected place you’ve found inspiration?
Factories. Going behind the scenes to see how things are made is really inspiring to me. Whether it be furniture, textiles, or paint, I love seeing how it comes together and meeting the people behind it. 

What trend are you most excited about right now?
The resurgence of wallpaper. I’m a color freak so my eyes will always light up when a client expresses a desire for wallpaper. 

What are clients asking you for?
Being in the middle of a global pandemic means that our focus and our needs have completely shifted. Custom home offices and study nooks are at the top of the list for clients now. 

What do you geek out on when it comes to design?
Grand Designs reruns and storage containers. I’m a neat freak so everything has to have a home and it’s usually in a box or container. 

What is one of your designer secrets?
Layers of lighting. I really dislike overhead lighting or downlights and will never turn them on in my own home. Beautiful lamps look great in the day and create a relaxing mood in the evening. Mix it up with task lighting, mood lighting, and ambient lighting. 

What’s your favorite building or space in the world?
There are so many but the Barcelona Pavilion, by Mies van der Rohe, is one of my favorites. I love the minimalist simplicity, the materials, and absolute attention to every detail.

What excites you the most about going to work every day?
The opportunity to play with color, texture, and different materials – drawing and pulling schemes together. It’s fun and always makes me feel like I’m not really working. 

What is your favorite part of the design process?
I love the beginning and the end. The middle is where all the hard work is but it’s the part that determines how good the ending will be. 

You mentioned the Bentleigh Family Home project during your Houzz TV interview, what did you enjoy most about it?
The client gave me her full trust and said ‘go for it’. I enjoyed the creative freedom to design something unique with only the client in mind. 

What is your favorite element in the space from this project?
I love the Casamance wallpaper. Often we dip our toe in the water and only wallpaper one wall but the effect of covering all the walls is key to the overall design of this room. 

What was the biggest challenge during this project and how did you solve it?
The room is not only a powder room but a guest bathroom so it needed to have a dual purpose. Making it feel intimate but functional at the same time was a challenge. The use of dark tiles in the shower helped to make the room recede against the gold tones of the wallpaper. 

When you’re not designing, where can you be found?
Visiting the NGV (National Gallery of Victoria) or spending time on the Mornington Peninsula.