Julia Miller’s Yond Interiors: Home Experience Design
people • Designers
I’m Julia, creative director at Yond Interiors. Yond Interiors is a Minneapolis based studio serving clients nationwide. All of our work is centered on the feeling and experience of home. Interior design was something I was long interested in but took quite the circuitous route to find. I started as a clinical social worker and after doing a renovation on my own home did I find my passion and courage to give interior design a try. Yond Interiors just celebrated its fourth birthday and we are so very excited for all of the new experiences to come.
WEBSITE:yondinteriors.com
INSTAGRAM:@yondinteriors
Words: designeers
july 2024
designeers
What is your main priority when starting projects? Is there a foundational element inherent to your practice, philosophy, and approach?
Julia miller
Given my background in social work, my north star in all of our work is creating spaces that facilitate all the good things our clients love to do. Whether it’s a kitchen for a cook or a ski home for a skier, we are heavily invested in the experience our clients have in their spaces. We love nothing more than handcrafting people-specific spaces.
designeers
How do you organise and manage the competing demands of modern business and life? Do you have any tips or tricks you could share with us that help you in your day-to-day?
Julia miller
Hire people better than you! Honestly, surrounding yourself with people that are smarter and more talented than you is the only way to manage the demands of business and home. I am so honoured to be surrounded by women that are so talented and kind! Day-to-day I keep a fairly strict calendar and do my best to protect my personal time which has really helped bring balance to my life.
designeers
What do you feel is the most challenging part of being a designer today? And if you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be?
Julia miller
I feel like the rising costs of nearly everything is the most challenging part of being a designer today. Project costs are harder and harder to predict and preparing a client fully for their investment requires significant work. If I could change one thing about the industry it would be some of the competition that can naturally occur. I truly believe a rising tide lifts all boats and we’re all better together.
designeers
What advice would you give to emerging designers who want to follow your path? What was one of your biggest lessons learned since starting your firm?
Julia miller
I would say - find your style. Figure out what type of design brings you the greatest joys and create from there. It is so easy to be swayed by the style of the moment and to feel like you have to keep up, but what distinguishes your work from everyone else’s. The biggest lesson learned is just listening to my gut about literally everything. Nothing in this business is completely intuitive and you have to be willing to step out and trust yourself.
“With each project, I delve deeper into the history of architecture and design, causing my taste and style to continuously evolve.”
Julia miller
designeers
What’s next – can you share with us your vision and some of your goals?
Julia miller
We are so excited about some product collaborations we have in the works. Our team is literally brimming with so many ideas and being able to bring them to more people is just a delight. Our team is forever focused on our specific clients and their spaces, we do our best to stay so attuned to our work and are continually improving every bit of what we do.
designeers
Best design hotel in the world:
Julia miller
The best hotel I’ve stayed in was Nine Orchards in NYC! So many wonderful moments!
designeers
On your coffee table right now:
Julia miller
Truthfully? A vintage chess board my kids use every day, my favorite candle, and a bunch of library books.
designeers
What are the top 3 suppliers you love working with:
julia miller
Well we love everything vintage, so anyone who is selling great vintage stuff is a friend of ours. We also love small makers and a few of our favorite suppliers are Rovan Furniture in Minneapolis, MacLaren Fixture Co, and South Loop Loft.
designeers
Design inspiration hero:
julia miller
It’s impossible to pinpoint just one but something that keeps me inspired is seeing what my design friends create. It is so fun and inspiring to see what people I love create!
