Justina Blakeney is a trailblazing interior designer, artist, entrepreneur, and best-selling author who has become one of the most influential voices in modern home decor. Known for her signature style of bohemian maximalism infused with vibrant colors, botanical motifs, and global influences, Blakeney has built a design empire rooted in creativity, inclusivity, and personal expression. As the founder and creative director of the Jungalow® brand, she has transformed a personal blog into a cultural phenomenon that reaches millions across social media and retail platforms.
Early Life and Creative Roots
Born in Berkeley, California in 1979 and raised in a culturally rich household, Blakeney was exposed to art, travel, and diverse traditions from a young age. Her upbringing, combined with a degree in World Arts and Cultures from UCLA, fueled her passion for eclectic design. She began her career in fashion and graphic design but soon pivoted toward interiors, where she found a more expansive canvas for her creativity.
In 2009, Blakeney launched her design blog, The Jungalow, a space to chronicle her DIY projects, travel inspirations, and plant-filled interiors. The blog quickly grew a devoted following and laid the foundation for a lifestyle brand that celebrates individuality and joyful living.
The Rise of The Jungalow Brand
What began as a personal blog evolved into a multi-faceted brand known for its bold aesthetic and deep cultural storytelling. Jungalow® is now a thriving design company offering home decor, textiles, furniture, and art that reflect Blakeney’s vibrant and globally inspired style. The brand emphasizes sustainability and ethical production, partnering with artisans worldwide to create unique and accessible products.
Blakeney’s commitment to color, pattern, and playfulness resonates across all her designs. Her interior styling often includes layered textiles, vintage finds, handcrafted objects, and lush indoor plants. This earthy yet exuberant approach has helped redefine what bohemian interiors look like in the 21st century, more maximalist than minimalist, more personal than polished.
Collaborations and Commercial Success
Blakeney has successfully expanded her reach through high-profile collaborations with major retailers. Her long-running partnership with Target includes the Opalhouse designed with Jungalow™ line, which brings her signature look to a wide audience through affordable home goods like bedding, furniture, and kitchenware.
She has also launched collections with Anthropologie, Loloi Rugs, and Selamat, offering everything from vibrant wallpaper and throw pillows to rattan furniture and globally-inspired art prints. These partnerships have helped solidify her reputation as a tastemaker who can bridge the gap between artisan aesthetics and mainstream retail.
Blakeney’s commercial success is matched by her social media prowess. Her Instagram account, @thejungalow, boasts over 1.6 million followers and serves as a daily celebration of color, creativity, and community. Through her posts, she shares styling tips, product launches, and glimpses into her Los Angeles home and garden, which serve as ongoing sources of inspiration for her audience.
Authorship and Thought Leadership
In addition to her design work, Justina Blakeney is a best-selling author. Her first book, The New Bohemians: Cool and Collected Homes (2015), was a runaway hit that helped define the modern bohemian interior trend. She followed it with The New Bohemians Handbook: Come Home to Good Vibes (2017), a guide that combines decorating advice with mindfulness, self-care, and plant care.
Her writing reflects a holistic approach to home life, one that goes beyond aesthetics to include emotional and spiritual well-being. She encourages readers to create spaces that reflect their own stories and values, a message that has resonated with a broad and diverse audience.
Cultural Impact and Philosophy
Blakeney’s influence extends beyond design into areas of cultural representation, empowerment, and community building. As a woman of color in an industry often criticized for its lack of diversity, she has been vocal about inclusivity and has used her platform to elevate underrepresented voices and makers.
Her design philosophy embraces imperfection, intuition, and storytelling. She encourages people to trust their instincts, mix patterns fearlessly, and surround themselves with objects that bring joy. Plants play a central role in her interiors, not just as decor but as living companions that bring vitality and harmony to a space.
In interviews and public appearances, Blakeney often speaks about the healing power of creativity and the importance of designing from the heart. Her work is as much about self-expression as it is about style, making her a relatable and inspiring figure in today’s design landscape.
Looking Ahead
Justina Blakeney continues to evolve her brand and expand her reach while staying true to her roots. Her upcoming projects include new product lines, design collaborations, and community-based initiatives that promote wellness, diversity, and artistic empowerment.
Whether through a lush Instagram post, a new home goods collection, or a beautifully photographed coffee table book, Blakeney invites us all to embrace boldness, celebrate difference, and turn our homes into sanctuaries of self-love and creativity.
For anyone looking to infuse their living space with life, color, and soul, Justina Blakeney remains an unmatched guide to living beautifully and authentically.
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