Julia Marcum: Crafting a Home and a Life Full of Memories
Budget-savvy DIY ideas and heartfelt accents turn any house into a cherished home.
Julia Marcum: Making a Home Is Making Memories
Discover the creative journey of Julia Marcum, renowned designer behind Chris Loves Julia, as she shares insights on turning houses into cherished homes, embracing DIY, family-focused design, navigating cross-country moves, and curating spaces that blend style with meaning.
Introduction: Finding the Heart in Home
Buying a home marks a new chapter, but it’s what you do after you get the keys that shapes your life. In this episode of The Better Buy podcast by Better Homes & Gardens, host Mélanie Berliet chats with Julia Marcum—of the beloved Chris Loves Julia blog—about her family’s bold move, creative inspiration, and her practical, heart-forward approach to home improvement.
Cross-Country Moves: The Realities and Lessons
Julia Marcum, her husband Chris, and their three daughters recently relocated across the country, a journey full of anticipation, logistical hurdles, and unexpected challenges. Their story is packed with both cautionary tales and hope for those about to embark on a similar adventure.
Picking the Perfect Home: Beyond the Dream
- Research neighborhoods: Julia emphasizes understanding school districts, community feel, and future growth potential.
- List-making: Identifying ‘must-haves’ and ‘nice-to-haves’ kept her family focused while house hunting.
- Flexibility matters: The Marcums ultimately chose a fixer-upper, prioritizing layout and location over turnkey perfection.
The Nightmare Move: Red Flags and Lessons Learned
- Beware of too-good-to-be-true offers. Julia’s move was marked by an unreliable moving company and missing belongings, teaching her the importance of due diligence.
- Read reviews: Prioritize companies with vetted references and transparent policies.
- Inventory everything: An itemized list proved invaluable during claims and insurance processes.
“You think you’re just packing boxes and heading on, but it’s a marathon full of logistics and tiny decisions,” Julia reflects. The Marcums’ moving mishaps, though stressful, brought the family together and set the stage for new adventures in their home.
First DIY Projects: Unboxing Comfort
Unpacking goes beyond physically opening boxes. For Julia, settling into a new home is about making it feel safe, warm, and uniquely theirs—even before every project is finished.
The Value of Small Wins
- Start with one room: Julia advises tackling one space—such as the family room or kitchen—to find immediate comfort amid chaos.
- Functional fixes first: Hanging curtains, organizing entryways, and setting up beds create a sense of normalcy.
The Marcums’ first project in their new home focused on the family room, transforming it from a blank, echoing space into a cozy gathering spot. Even small changes, like swapping light fixtures or painting a wall, made a long-term difference to their sense of belonging.
Design Inspiration: Where Old Meets New
As an influential voice in the DIY community, Julia’s signature is creating family-friendly spaces that balance beauty with function. Her sources of inspiration reveal the eclectic, thoughtful process behind her signature look.
Sources of Inspiration
- Classic movies and TV shows: Julia often draws on visual storytelling from favorite films or shows, infusing nostalgic touches into contemporary designs.
- Personal history and travels: Objects from meaningful trips or heirlooms anchor her designs in lived experience.
- Family needs: With three children, durable and flexible design always comes first.
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How to Personalize Your Space
- Mix modern with traditional: Layering different styles keeps rooms dynamic and welcoming.
- Include something old: Vintage and secondhand treasures bring soul and sustainability to a room.
- Keep evolving: Julia reminds homeowners to view their spaces as ‘works in progress,’ letting lived-in beauty emerge gradually.
Budgeting for Home Projects: Making Every Dollar Count
Dream home upgrades don’t require a limitless bank account. Julia shares methods for stretching budgets while staying true to personal style and practical needs.
Key Money-Saving Tips
- Discover the daily dupe: Julia’s blog regularly features high-end design ‘dupes’—lookalike decor for a fraction of the price.
- Shop secondhand: The best investments are often pre-loved—furniture, lighting, or even fixtures sourced from thrift stores or marketplaces.
- Create a realistic budget: Rather than underspending, maximize your set budget for the greatest impact—a $25 budget means finding the best way to invest $25.
- Prioritize spending: Splurge on items you touch every day (like sofas or mattresses) and save on accents or trend pieces.
Every project in Julia’s home blends thrift finds, DIY efforts, and a few well-chosen splurges, creating layers of function and beauty without overspending.
Family-Focused Design: Spaces for Everyone
For Julia Marcum, home design is a collaborative, evolving process shaped by everyone under her roof. Her philosophy centers on creating an environment where memories are made—together.
Principles for Family-Friendly Spaces
- Accessible for all ages: Durable materials, rounded corners, and soft finishes keep things safe and comfortable.
- Multi-functional zones: Designing spaces that grow with changing needs—flexible playrooms, convertible guest rooms, or shared workspaces.
- Encourage togetherness: Arrange furniture for conversation, create cozy nooks, and showcase family artwork or photos.
Chris Loves Julia: Building a Brand on Authenticity
Julia and Chris have turned their passion for DIY into a creative business, chronicling not only the highlights but also the messy, behind-the-scenes moments of renovation.
The Evolution of a Lifestyle Blog
- From passion project to family business: The blog began as a personal outlet and grew into a community of millions who share their love for home and design.
- Radical transparency: The Marcums share failures as openly as successes, celebrating learning curves and inspiring others to try new things.
- Community matters: Julia credits their audience for shaping the blog’s direction, offering constant feedback, and fostering a sense of shared accomplishment.
Starting Your Own Home Journey: Julia’s Advice
Empowerment is at the core of Julia’s message—whether you’re buying your first home, starting a remodel, or just changing paint colors.
- Document your progress: Before-and-after photos help you see small wins on the journey.
- Don’t fear mistakes: Every DIY project brings lessons that add character and skills.
- Enjoy each stage: Live in the ‘in-between’ rather than waiting for perfection.
Moving Checklist: Lessons from Julia’s Experience
| Before the Move | During the Move | After Arrival |
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I find inspiration for redesigning a fixer-upper?
Look to classic films, favorite TV shows, personal travel, and family life for ideas. Combine these influences with your individual needs to create a space that’s both meaningful and practical.
What are some affordable ways to decorate on a tight budget?
Shop secondhand for unique finds, embrace vintage or upcycled pieces, and find “dupes” for high-end decor. Set a budget and use all of it strategically for maximum impact.
How can I make my home more family-friendly?
Prioritize durability, safety, and flexible spaces. Choose furniture with rounded edges, create rooms that can evolve as needs change, and involve the whole family in decorating.
What did Julia Marcum learn from her moving experience?
Do thorough research on movers, inventory belongings, and anticipate unexpected challenges. Stay flexible and use setbacks as opportunities to problem-solve together with your family.
How do I keep my DIY motivation going?
Document progress—no matter how small—celebrate every step, and be open about failures and successes alike. Remember that every home is a work in progress.
Julia Marcum’s Final Word
“Making a home is not about quick transformations, but about making memories and enjoying the journey—one project, one room, one day at a time.”
References
- https://static.onecms.io/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/sites/37/2022/07/13/the-better-buy-episode-3-julia-marcum-transcript.pdf
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PefdovOkHbo
- https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-better-buy-98153979/
- https://music.amazon.de/podcasts/d2a32505-e3d5-4d3a-baaf-473712cff2c7/episodes/b1993c12-48e5-4ab3-8cf5-329a879414e0/the-better-buy-julia-marcum-making-a-home-is-making-memories
- https://www.podcastrepublic.net/podcast/1628904301
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