Renowned interior stylist Julia Green recently made the bold (and some would say crazy!) decision to open the doors of her own home to six strangers for a weekend styling retreat and the results are incredible. Just look at these pictures created by her inspired students!
For two epic days, six emerging stylists — Tamara Broman, Maria Cerne, Carmel Bertina, Lisa Kefford, Helen Grima and Vikki Stuckey — immersed themselves in the all things styling.
Julia opened not only her house but also her heart, sharing everything from styling basics, to presenting the perfect pitch, industry expectations and most important of all, how to dream big! “It was a risk,” says Julia. “But I love taking a risk. It’s how you grow. They all left in tears saying it was the single greatest experience of their lives (other than giving birth!). Some sold furniture to attend, another forwent her 40th party to secure her ticket. They gave up a lot to come and I gave them EVERYTHING I had. It all paid off big time for every one of us.”
In addition, guests participated in a social media workshop with Sam Firestone of Sites by Sam. With over 20 years’ experience, Sam was able to navigate the pros, cons and hows of the social media maze as well as offer insights on how to make a social media profile stand out from the crowd.
Julia’s ethos is all about doing, not saying. “Styling is so much about learning from mistakes, you really need to get in and be prepared to get your hands dirty,” she says. And that’s exactly what these aspiring stylists did. The brief stated that the group were to be responsible for the conceptualisation, sourcing and execution of a lounge room, dining room, bedroom and vignette shot.
Photographer Stephanie Rooney collaborated with the team and highlighted how a shot that is beautiful to the eye can be downright blah through the camera lens (and vice versa!). After preening pillows, moving artwork higher then lower, and arranging throws with more folds and less folds, the group were rewarded with a series of professional photos (shown here) that will enable them to kickstart their styling folios.
“Each of these girls came from very different backgrounds, however they all shared a love of colour, a love of interiors and a desire to make a room more than just a space with pretty things,” Julia said. “They all got that a room had to make you feel something. I have a hunch that each and every one of these girls are going on to do something big, just watch this space! They left with was something money can’t buy … a sliding door moment that has now enabled each one of them to take their first step down their own unique career path.”
Those in the industry are already familiar with Julia’s boundless energy and enthusiasm but many questioned her move to invite strangers into her own home for a weekend. The decision however is one Julia does not regret. In fact, she’s going to be holding more intimate workshops in the future; the next styling retreat being scheduled for 17 and 18 March 2018. The cost is $2,200.
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