Rue Magazine: August 2016

Written by Kelli Lamb

There are two things that shine bright in the work of designer Julie Rootes: her love for fashion and her Texas roots. Julie, now based in San Francisco, is a fashion buyer (Hello, Prada!) turned interior designer and called her aesthetic “California chic with a touch of Southern flair.” Her appreciation of great style shows in her work — each space has vibrant colors alongside bold and eclectic patterns. And much like you’d finish off a great outfit with memorable jewelry and accessories, her work always has custom details. She’s recently participated in both the 2015 San Francisco Decorator Showcase and the 2015 Napa Showhouse, so it’s no surprise she’s totally in demand. She took time from her busy schedule to answer our #5MinutesWith questionnaire, and we love her point of view:

MY LIGHTBULB MOMENT:
There have been several. One that stands out is dinner with a colleague who told me to trust and believe in my talents and gifts as a designer and to take my business to the next level. I decided to apply for the San Francisco Decorator Showcase, got in, and the rest is history. Your instincts are very powerful. You should always trust them.

I CAN’T START MY DAY UNTIL:
Truth: Jasmine Green tea and checking my social media and email. My office tells me I should start with meditation and not reading my emails, but I’m not quite there.

SUCCESS IS:
To me, success is celebrating the small and large victories in life. Sometimes that means having a morning where none of my kids cry and we get to school on time! Other times, success is mapping your goals and achieving them. Success is very individual. Never measure your success against someone else’s. We are all on our own journey.

YOU’LL NEVER SEE ME WITHOUT:
My iPhone, my sunglasses and my Chanel Glossimer lip-gloss.

MY DREAM COLLABORATION:
Designing a fabric or furniture line with a fashion house. Blending fashion with interiors to me is the ultimate collaboration.

THE ONLY PLACE BETTER THAN SAN FRANCISCO:
I just returned from a trip to Paris so I am biased. Paris is immersed in history and amazing architecture. Walking the streets of Paris is very inspiring. I love how the French have preserved their amazing city – no skyscrapers, no billboards. I think they are onto something.

WHEN I FEEL UNINSPIRED:
In my industry it is tough to feel uninspired because amazing creative people surround me daily. When I feel low on energy, I try and re-charge. 5 minutes to myself can go a long way!

ADVICE I WISH I HAD 5 YEARS AGO:
Everything doesn’t have to get done today. I am always trying to pack too much in and do it all.

IN 5 YEARS FIND ME:
Still designing, still mothering and hopefully traveling more.

ABOVE ALL ELSE:
Don’t sweat the small stuff and be kind. Kind gestures go a long way in my book. Look people in the eye. It shows them you are interested in what they have to say.