We caught up with Justina Blakeney, Founder and CCO of The Jungalow to learn more about her expertise with plants and to hear what it really takes to build a successful holistic brand utilizing all the Internet has to offer: collaborations, social media, blogging, and more!
We notice a lot of your inspiration comes from the color combination: blue algae and teal, what is it about blues and greens that really draws the eye into a space?
Nature is a constant source of inspiration for me, so bringing colors from the outdoors, inside, is the best way to keep that flow going and try to capture the good vibes the natural world offers. Blues and greens can have calming or invigorating effects, so they're great choices for rooms where you're looking to recharge or chill out.
The Jungalow is your brand, can you tell us how and when you got started in the interiors business?
Ever since I was a child I was very art and design oriented. I loved to paint, sew and collage. After studying art in college I moved to Italy and began to think about design as a way to make a living using my creative talents. I opened a small boutique for vintage and new-designer clothing and I found that after a few years, I was most excited about the finding vintage objects and furniture for the shop. It was then that I realized my passion for decor and began working on home decor projects. I began my career simply by doing the things that love. The more I designed--the better I got at it. I volunteered, interned, worked for trade and got involved with anything that sounded fun and/or interesting to learn as much as possible about art and design. Ultimately I feel that travel, and collaborations with people that I admire have provided the best education.
What plants advice would you give to a newbie (aka: someone who really can't keep a plant alive)?
Learn a little about plants first, then pick plants that are best for the conditions in your home. Easy to care for plants like Sansevierias or ZZ's are a good place to start- they don't need perfect light, and will put up with inconsistent watering so if you forget for a few weeks, they'll pull through.
