To kick our our annual La Dolce Vita 25% Off sale and the upcoming Memorial Day weekend,I'm really excited to visit Julia of Lemonstripes at home...again. Aside from her showing off her great LDV style, she also was one of our very first home decorstories on the blog, which was 2 years ago, now! The postshowed off how lovely she decorated her previous home withPositano Town(where she honeymooned with her hubby) and Graceful Glam I from my _Aqua Glam_ series. Since then her Gray Malin collection has grown, just like her soon to be growing family and home! Julia is back with us today to share the latest.
Before we get started, Julia..
## Will you give us a quick introduction?
> Hi Everyone..nice to share my home with you all, again! My name is Julia and since we last spoke, I've happily transitioned into focusing my blog, Lemon Stripes, full time. I live in Stamford, Connecticut with my husband and dog, Boots. We have a baby girl on the way, due in July, and we've recently moved in to our new home. Although challenging, Ifeel very lucky to be able to work for myself, as it allows for a flexible schedule during a very exciting time in our lives!
I couldn't agree more, what an exciting time?! I'm so happyfor you and can't wait to see how you decorate the nursery. Before we get ahead of ourselves, though I'm so ready to see what you've been up to when it comes to decorating the new space! Since, we're in the kitchen, how about we start here and just make our way through the rest?
## Tell us about the evolution of your decor style...
> I've always been a huge fan of big, bold colors, but I’ve honed in on certain hues in the last few years. I’ve always loved a beachy feel, and have embraced it fully. Because we live in Connecticut, my preppy beach vibe fits right in!As you can probably tell, I decorate with a lot of blues and whites. Those colors calm me, and my husband and I can actually agree on them so win/win.
Heading into the entryway, I see her Positano Town, front and center. It's very cool to see, as we are sold out of this particular print. Julia is one of the lucky ones to have it! If it's one of yours too, definitely don't despair! Positano Vista, which I released from the archives last year, is a fantastic alternative to this crowd pleaser. As for my next question(s) for the mommy-to-be..
## You recently bought your first home. What’s your approach for decorating a new space? What do you keep and what do you get rid of?
> We went from living in apartments to a bigger home so it was definitely a challenge. My strategy was to take pieces (like the Positano print) and decorate around them. I used a Marie Kondo-like approach where I kept only art and furniture that sparked joy, and then filled in the blanks.
>
> The key to decorating a larger space with many rooms is to go slowly. Take your time instead of rushing to get it done and then being unhappy with your split decisions.
I can totally appreciate that approach, as I'm a big advocate for starting with the artwork. The not rushing part is something that takes patience, though. As much as we want todo it all at once, we have to pace ourselves...unless of course you havea bottomless budget..haha!
## How did you choose your Gray Malin prints?
> Most of them have meaning to us. The first Gray Malin print we bought is the giant one shot in Positano that lives in our entryway. It’s the first thing you see when you walk into our house and I love that it makes such a big statement. Everyone who walks into our home comments on it. My husband and I honeymooned on the Amalfi Coast, and have wonderful memories from this exact spot so it’s fun to tell that story.
> My other favorite print is the front of the boat in our bedroom. Our favorite day from that trip was when we chartered a boat and spent the day island hopping. It captures the feeling of that moment perfectly. It’s the first thing I see when I wake up in the morning and it makes me so happy!
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.jpg-Mzx4fc0?ixlib=rails-2.1.3)Yet another one that Julia scored that's now sold out, Positano Coast, is such an escape...it doesn't surprise me that it connected with so many of you. Much like Positano Vista though, I have a superb suggestion for you in Afternoon Ride, Capri.At 25% off, don't wait until it makes it's way to theSold Outlist, too...
> The rest of them I chose because I just like them. The two in my office “I am Busy” and the martini glass make me smile. I love how cheeky they are. I’m also currently 8 months pregnant and dying for a martini so the martini print makes me excited that I can have one soon.
.jpg-VHyU5RE?ixlib=rails-2.1.3)Well, I'm happy to have been some help there! We all need a little getaway from our day to day, especially when it comes to being in the office. Last but certainly notleast, as it's definitely an important room in every house, the final print in Julia's collection resides in the bathroom.
.jpg-HtckbKQ?ixlib=rails-2.1.3)Woo! What a tour, right? I am so happy for you Julia! Cheers to your beautiful home and much love to your baby girl! We can't wait to meet her! In the meantime, for all of you following along, if you enjoyed Julia's La Dolce Vita style as much as I did, then see more over on Lemon Stripes!As for your own decor needs, I think we both know what needs to be done...25% Off La Dolce Vita. It starts today but won't last forever, so don't delay.
Cheers,
xx
GM