JULIA HICHENS is a true nostalgic with a weakness for aesthetics, the foundation of symmetry and all that is romantic in life. She works as a principal but in her spare time she is a professional dreamer. Welcome home to Julia and John and their two children Eli and Harry.
Finding the perfect apartment was a labor of love for Julia and John Hichens. Once they decided to move out of their old house, they kind of thought it would take much longer to find it. But sometimes the stars are aligned, and the apartment appeared just in the right time. Now the family of four lives in their dream residence, just next to Tegnérlunden in Stockholm.
The velvet sofas in the living room are from Bröderna Andersson. Painting by Julia. Flowers, Bell and Bonn in Örby.
‘The distance between my goals and reality comes down to daring. I dream about having an everyday that doesn’t make me long to get away.’
My home is …
… Decorated with a little yesterday, a little today, but also room for tomorrow. My interior style is classic and I want it to feel effortless, combining traditional decoration with contemporary elegance. I strive to create a home that are as stylish and refined as it is comfortable. I find my inspiration in places were there is hospitality, love and culture. I find inspiration in history, like museums or old interior books. I don’t want to follow trends. In fact it’s soothing to be boring and not to mention the long term relationship you can enter with that mindset. I fall in love with colours that don’t distract me. A natural base that you can paint your life in. I have two keywords; Relax and Enjoy. The most difficult thing about the apartment when moving in was the many passages and corridors. As interspaces. But I’ve realised they create privacy and some kind of calm. And the bathrooms were so small and we wanted so much out of them. Many persuasion meetings were required, hehe.
If I would to give a message it would be …
… Embrace everything that’s you, then visualize your best self and show up as her.
My soul is …
… Full of Van Morrison, October walks, sailing and nostalgia. I wouldn’t describe the soul as a compass as it often leads me astray. But it maybe functions more as a lantern. Didn’t Emily Dickinson say that she was “out with a lantern, looking for myself”? I see the soul as that sort of light.
Earlier in life …
… People greeted me with “Bonjour madame.”
If I could I would …
… Dare to put more of my dreams into action. The distance between my goals and reality comes down to daring. I dream about having an everyday that doesn’t make me long to get away. Right now, I’m at a place in my life where the little things matter. Everyone is healthy, the kettle hums familiarly, my sons are growing and thriving in their schools, I get time alone with my husband. I love being at home, I can still afford to do things that I consider a luxury. It’s the day-to-day stuff that makes life fun. A place I’ve longed to be all my life.
“In the TV Room we meet for games and series marathons. We inherited the living room table from John’s mother, I have always loved the Butler’s table. The round lamp in the glass has been with us in all our homes, I am surprised that it is intact”, says Julia.
“The kitchen is the heart of our home, here it is high ceilings and volume. It was my proudest moment when my drawing for this room and the dreams I had for it finally was completed. it was a challenge with the kitchen, but the bistro part turned out to be everything and then some.”
My life philosophy is …
… Fuck em if they can’t take a joke.
People don’t know this about me …
… I really like bridges. I almoshave an unhealthy relationship with bridges and their aesthetics and endless metaphors. Otherwise, the north-western coast of Mallorca, Fornalutx and Valldemossa, makes everything about me blossom.
I hate …
… When the world turns against itself. When fascism and racism poison the groundwater. I see it reflected throughout society and I’m appalled we can’t do more to stop it.
When I need to get on my feet …
… I listen to music, “You’ve got my mind messed up” by James Carr or similar. Then I’ll call my wise friend Sofia. She nudges everything in the right direction. Her advice is never sugar coated, and she doesn’t beat around the bush, but it’s always given on a loving foundation, and it keeps me from falling through the cracks. She keeps me on the right path.
‘ I wouldn’t describe the soul as a compass as it often leads me astray. But it maybe functions more as a lantern.’
Both kids room are painted in green shades, and the carpet are vintage. Sofa from & Tradition.
When I’m old …
… I’ll give my children and grandchildren all the time they want. And I’m going to start so many foundations and charities that my days will be booked solid. I’ll have annual passes to all the cultural institutions that I miss visiting. Then I’ll make sure to have my hand in John’s as often as I can.
For me, love is …
… 187 cm tall. Curly, complicated, direct, soft, dark, boiste- rous, warm, and extremely smart. It’s knowing from the first breath together that everything else is forgotten. John is the very definition of my childhood dream, he is my light, my punching bag, my worst critic, and, he loves me, all of me. Everything I ever wished for, is him. He has gotten me to love myself. He has given me my children. John is love.
Aesthetics is …
… The foundation of symmetry and everything else in a blissful mix.
My family is …
… A big one but has also shrunk rapidly and relentlessly in recent years. I can’t even bear to talk about it. It’s ever changing, and I hope it will start growing again.
Harry and Eli, my kids are …
… Indescribable. I can’t even begin to …
“Quite early in the renovation, I understood that these windows must be given a worthy frame. I contacted Bobo Andersson Studio to get help with the perfect curtains for all rooms. They differ between the parts of the apartment. In the living room it is thick wool, in the bedroom Italian satin, in the children’s dark and and colorful, and in the TV room clear flowing that lets light through but shuts out curious eyes.”
Life is …
… Actually, life is beautiful, and you have time …
When I daydream I …
… See us in a cottage on the coast. A Kettle’s Yard- like house, haystacks, white-plastered walls, and stable doors everywhere. Who knows, maybe on the northwest coast of Mallorca?
I recommend …
… Daring to reach out to people on social media who you don’t know but want to get to know. Some of the best relationships in my life began that way.
My body …
… Doesn’t owe me anything. (I hope you can forgive me and that we can lift each other forward from now on.)
When I invite my friends to dinner …
… I want everybody to feel at home. The dinner party is a gathering of family, friends or honored guests who come together to share food, drinks and conversation. But I also want to ele- vate it into something els and I strive to have a thoughtful approach no matter where you have set the barr. I love it when you ad that little extra to show you care. We love boardgames, music and some quality time with the guests who are kids. And the key of course is delicious, yet unpretentious comfort food. I really love my best friends. I don’t even know who I’d be without these women. I learn and improve through them. It’s like that tingle in a romance that kind of ebbs out – well it’s always there with my friends. We appreciate each other’s gestures, make reservations, plan dates, and listen to everything that’s going on, big and small. I think of them as my sisters, self-appointed sisters.
“Our guest toilet turned out to be a pleasant surprise. it was important to create an illusion of space and joy in such a small space.”
‘It’s soothing to be boring and not to mention the long term relationship you can enter with that mindset.’
