The art of; New beginnings
"Step forward into growth or back into safety." - Abraham Maslow
Dear Readers,
As I reflect on the past year, I’m struck by how deeply it shaped me. It was a time of profound social and cultural shifts, leaving an imprint on how I see the world and my place in it.
Now, as we step into this new year, there’s a sense of calm. Gone are the sharp contrasts of “before” and “after.” Instead, there’s a steady rhythm, a quiet momentum that feels like an invitation to align more closely with who I truly am.
At 40, I’m craving both focus and flow. I want this to be my most fulfilling and creative year yet, and this chapter already feels like the beginning of something special. We’ve finally found our coastal house, our dog has become the heart of our family, and after three years, the apartment is starting to feel like a real home—though it’s always ready for more art, color, and endless cups of tea.
This platform has been such an important part of this journey for me, and I hope it’s been meaningful for you, too. As much as I share my stories, ideas, and reflections, this space only exists because of your engagement, your readership, and your support. It’s a collaboration in its own way—a space where we’re all sketching out what’s next for us, piece by piece.
So, here’s to another year of transformation, creativity, and connection. I hope you’ll keep reading, subscribing, and sharing so that together, we can continue building something truly special here.
Let’s embrace the chance to start anew and see where this chapter takes us—both individually and together.
Best, Julia
Kindly note: This newsletter is rich with inspiration and may be on the longer side. If your email platform shortens it, please open it in your browser to fully appreciate every detail. This newsletter includes affiliate links.
THE PLAYLIST - New beginning
A little list to help me stay focused as the year kicks off. It’s a “swing and a miss” kind of vibe—giving it a shot and seeing what sticks. Heading back to work with energy, but maybe slowing down a bit, too. Trying to be patient with people and leaning into what feels right and inspiring in my gut.
This is my backdrop for January.
ART NOUVEAU - A Love‘Hate Relationship
Art Nouveau is one of those artistic movements that evokes a deep sense of admiration, yet leaves me with mixed feelings at times. I find myself drawn to its architecture, the flowing, organic forms that bend and twist into mesmerizing patterns. The ornate ironwork, the delicate curves of stained glass windows, and the rich, carved wood—these elements captivate me. There’s something almost magical about how Art Nouveau transcends traditional design, creating a sense of harmony between the natural world and human craftsmanship.
Then there’s the other side of Art Nouveau, specifically the bistro posters and paintings that became so iconic during this period. While I can appreciate the technique and the cultural significance of these works, I struggle to connect with them in the same way. The style often feels too commercial, too overt in its promotion of a lifestyle or a product, rather than the more nuanced, timeless beauty I admire in the movement’s architectural and sculptural forms. The bold colors, exaggerated figures, and commercial focus—though revolutionary at the time—don’t speak to me as deeply as the softer, more intricate aspects of Art Nouveau.
In a way, this love-hate relationship with Art Nouveau reflects the tension between artistic innovation and commercialism, where some elements stand out for their lasting beauty, while others feel a bit too tied to the era’s commercial boom. Yet, despite my mixed feelings, I can’t help but respect the movement’s lasting influence on art and design.
Art Nouveau was a compelling and energetic style in the visual arts which spanned from around the early 1890s to the First World War. Art Nouveau artists, inspired by plant formsand nature, took organic subjects and flattened and abstracted them into sophisticated, sinuous and flowing motifs.
Some defining, but by no means exhaustive, characteristics include an accent on the fluidity of line, geometric shapes, asymmetrical compositions, and a bold synthesis of structure and decoration.
Art Nouveau surfaced during a time of immense technological advancement. At the wake of the Industrial Revolution, Europe's modern identity was one of industry and mass production. The movement both embraced and retaliated against the Industrial Revolution, celebrating craftsmanship and artistic talent while simultaneously incorporating and stylising automation and industrialisation. In the United States, the Progressive Era was well underway too.
Pendant, René-Jules Lalique French ca. 1901
The international presence of Art Nouveau attests to the successful tearing down of hierarchies between the arts. Overriding art previously dominated by neoclassicism, the movement enabled artists across the globe to enrich the lives of the public, most notably by improving the design of ordinary spaces and domestic objects.
Vase, Designed by Philippe Wolfers Belgian Wolfers Freres Belgian ca. 1896
Art Nouveau presented a stepping stone for modern artists, and its legacy continues to inspire today. With a drop of Street Art or Abstraction added to the mix, emerging painters and printmakers, such as Lowdown and Clare Halifax, pay homage to the movement.
THE MUSEUM - Vigeland museum
This year, I’m drawn to the quiet beauty of the Vigeland Museum in Oslo. It’s a place that has intrigued me for some time—a space where art and emotion seem to intertwine in profound and lasting ways.
The museum, dedicated to the life and work of Gustav Vigeland, houses sculptures that capture the raw essence of the human experience. There’s a simplicity to his work that makes it approachable, yet it holds a depth that lingers. Each figure, each gesture, feels deeply intentional, as though it was carved from the very fabric of our shared stories.
What I find most compelling is the balance between the intimacy of his smaller works and the grandeur of the sculptures that populate the surrounding park. Together, they form a dialogue about life’s fleeting beauty, its struggles, and its enduring connections. Visiting feels less like ticking off a destination and more like stepping into a contemplative space, a chance to slow down and take it all in.
This year feels like the right moment to finally experience it. As I plan the visit, I’m reminded of how art can quietly shape our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. I hope to share what I discover there, but for now, I’m content to let the anticipation build.
If you’ve visited the Vigeland Museum or have places like it on your own list, I’d love to hear about it. Sometimes the most beautiful journeys start with quiet intrigue…
THE DESIGN FIRM - Studio Escapsit
Walking into the newly reimagined Savannahs store in Stockholm, designed by Studio Escapist, felt like stepping into a world where contrasts quietly coexist in perfect balance. The aesthetic immediately brought to mind the 1990s—a time when masculinity and femininity began to merge in design, creating spaces that were both strong and delicate, structured yet inviting.
Studio Escapism has an uncanny ability to capture this interplay. In the Savannahs store, the combination of materials—smooth stone, brushed metal, warm woods, and sumptuous fabrics—creates an atmosphere that lingers with you. Every detail feels intentional, from the way light falls across surfaces to the textures that seem to draw you in, asking you to stay just a little longer.
Wandering through, the space reminded me of the apartment in A Perfect Murder, the one shared by Gwyneth Paltrow and Michael Douglas. It had that same layered elegance, a luxurious yet understated mix that made the space as much a character as the people within it. The Savannahs store gave me a similar feeling—an environment that invites quiet exploration, where every detail holds its own story.
Art in Shavannas store by Joel Stuart-Beck
Studio Escapism’s influence doesn’t stop there. They’re also behind the design of the new Stockholms Stadshotell in Södermalm, which I’m eagerly anticipating visiting. If their work at Savannahs is any indication, it promises to be a space that transcends the ordinary—a seamless fusion of function and beauty, modernity and timelessness.
Stockholm Stadshotell, picture from website
Shoes and bags on perfect display in Savannahs store.
It’s rare to find design that speaks so directly to you, evoking memories and sparking imagination. Studio Escapism has mastered that art, and I’m looking forward to seeing how their vision continues to shape Stockholm and beyond.
NEW YEARS EVE SPECIAL DISCOUNT
I offerer my New Year’s Eve special discount to new paid subscribers, I’m offering 20% off the annual subscription rate of $75 until January 20, 2025.
If you have a problem with the subscription on the Substack app you can pay on the Substack website.
Hope to see you join!
THE PERFECT MURDER – The Black Hole of Design
Me wearing Toteme.
If someone were to ask me, "Which character’s wardrobe would you steal if you could?" My answer would be as direct as it is not unique: Emily Bradford, or more precisely, Gwyneth Paltrow's portrayal of Emily in A Perfect Murder.
I first encountered this film during my late teens, a time when A Perfect Murder wasn’t just a movie—it became a comfort watch, an almost obsessive escape. I dreamed about love, art, context, and the grown-up world around me. Emily’s world, with its clean lines, subtle elegance, and quiet sophistication, seemed like an idealized version of everything I aspired to. It inspired me to reject trends and to dress in a way that felt comfortable and understated, believing that true style came from within, not from labels. The no-brand look that Emily wore, despite being composed of items I could never afford, spoke to me. It made me feel like I, too, could embody that grace and quiet luxury, even if my budget was restricted to student loans.
Character Emily Bradford played by Gwyneth Paltrow 1998
This mindset shaped the way I approached my own life after university. I may not have had the funds to splurge on high-end designer pieces, but I understood the power of subtlety. Emily’s wardrobe became a guiding influence, helping me invest in timeless pieces that would last far longer than any fleeting trend. The focus was always on quality, not quantity. And even with my limited resources, I felt held by this “no-brand” approach—a belief that style didn’t need to be loud to be noticed.
A perfect murder 1998
I came across an interview where Gwyneth herself was asked this same question, and her answer was clear: “The lady that I played in A Perfect Murder.” And it's no surprise. Costume designer Ellen Mirojnick, who transformed Emily’s persona into an epitome of modern sophistication, crafted a wardrobe that continues to inspire. Mirojnick’s work on A Perfect Murder echoes throughout her iconic career, from Fatal Attraction and Wall Street to Basic Instinct and Unfaithful.
Pictures from movie Unfaithful
These are the films that comfort and stir something inside me, striking a perfect balance between elegance and intrigue. Recently, she’s been behind the costumes for Bridgerton and the award-winning Oppenheimer, further solidifying her place in design history.
Gwenneth Paltrow in A perfect murder
Mirojnick once said of A Perfect Murder, “It was a picture that had to capture the ambience of wealth, sophistication, and modern New York.” The character of Emily is a woman born into wealth, who moves through life with quiet grace and elegance. She doesn’t wear her fortune on her sleeve—there are no obvious designer labels or flashy displays of wealth. Instead, her wardrobe speaks to a kind of understated style, where the lines are clean and the details, though subtle, leave a lasting impression.
Mirojnick’s approach to costume design has always been influenced by the world around her, without being swayed by fleeting trends. As she explains, “I’m a costume designer who works possibly in an old-fashioned way in this day and age. I’m influenced by the world and what I see around me, and who is who, and what’s on the street, and what the world is about, and maybe where it’s going to, that’s always an inspiration. But I’m not influenced by trends, fashion trends, nor am I influenced by any ready-to-wear designers.”
Her goal is to make the actor or actress "the best that they can be," and in Emily’s case, Mirojnick’s designs brought out a cool, effortless elegance that made the character unforgettable.
One of my favorite details is the way Emily wears a silk Hermès scarf tucked into a cashmere sweater—simple, elegant, and utterly timeless. Mirojnick’s advice on this look, shared with the LA Times, was: “You fold it in a triangle, put it at your neck, double knot it, puff it out and leave it alone. The key is leaving it alone. I’m not joking about that one.” It’s as perfect as it sounds.
You can read a full interwiev transcribition with Ellen here.
THE WISHLIST - Emily Bradford à 2025 edition.
Me wearing Sézane wool trousers, black boots, coat and hat Toteme.
If we were to imagine updating Emily’s wardrobe for 2025, it would still carry that refined simplicity and quiet luxury she’s known for. Think modern takes on classic silhouettes, where every piece feels timeless and effortlessly chic.
For anyone looking to bring this understated elegance into their own wardrobe or space, I’ve put together a wishlist inspired by Emily’s iconic style. These pieces capture the same sophisticated, minimal aesthetic that helped make A Perfect Murder a cult classic—for both film and fashion.
Shearling coat TOTEME (on sale)
Top handle bag TOTEME
A discreet beatufull ring by ENNUI
Manchester pants DAGMAR
Silk over-knee boots ARKET
Perfect blue Scarf GUCCI
Wool Coat COS
THE PERFECT MURDER - Interior
Desk and chair in Jugend style by Thonet
The apartment in A Perfect Murder, with its refined elegance and thoughtfully curated details, has always left a lasting impression. The way it combines luxurious materials—sleek metals, rich woods, and plush fabrics—creates an atmosphere of understated sophistication. Every piece feels intentional, blending textures and finishes in a way that makes the space feel both timeless and modern.
For anyone looking to bring a similar sense of quiet luxury into their own home, I’ve put together a wishlist of interior pieces that capture that same refined aesthetic. From polished stone to soft, rich textiles, these items will help create a space that feels just as effortlessly elegant as the apartment in the film.
Here’s a selections from one of my go to stores when i comes to classic interios, Newport.
Gingerpot, The beautiful pattern, combined with the soft, rounded shape, gives the jug a solid and appealing expression. It works beautifully for floral arrangements but is just as lovely on its own or used for storage.
The Kensington leather Jewellery box is a stylish piece with beautiful leather details. It features a mirror and multiple compartments and drawers of various sizes, making it easy to organize your jewelry.
The Genua by Artwood is made of aluminum in an elegant black finish.
The Dalfern by Ralph Lauren, inspired by resort living, combines natural bamboo with elegant metalwork. This combination is adorned with white parchment or metal lampshades, creating a timeless effect in both traditional and modern settings.
Elegant wooden dice with a matching storage box designed as a die. Beautiful enough to display as a stylish decoration on a shelf or to place on a tray alongside other decor pieces on the coffee table.
Elegant stool with decorative turned legs in a stylish honey finish. The stool is made of mahogany and the seat is upholstered in black leather.
Chado Large Table Lamp in Polar Blue Crackle with Linen Shade
Eroz Paisley plaid is a stylish soft patterned plaid from Artwood. The plaid has a beautiful paisley pattern.
Scented candle From Nest, infused with a more-ish woody, smoky scent. Featuring rich oud, uplifting frankincense and hints of ember,
THE MEET UP - Arts & Tea
Im so excited to invite you to the next gathering of Arts & The, a space where creativity, culture, and meaningful connections come together. Join us for an inspiring time of thought-provoking conversations, art discussions, and a chance to engage with like-minded individuals.
If you’d like to attend in person, please sign up via our paid membership to receive your exclusive invitation. This is an opportunity to immerse yourself in an enriching experience and be part of a community that values art and culture.
We can’t wait to welcome you to our next event in february!
SNAPSHOTS
My go to color Coramandel from Chanel, i also collect these cherries from the swedish National museum and we put theme in different ceramics around the apartment.
An everyday family setting, leftovers, roses and a Trudon Candle on the kitchen table.
As you noted im ginger - chestnut now. Still a bit surprised every time a pass a mirror but it fits.
Our lovely Bruno is turning six mounts. Celebrations ahead
Speaking of celebrations, I want to dress like this again. Someone please invite me.
There is Jacquard and paisley all around the house. this chistrmas a went a bit pverbpard. But I love a good different silk french lily.
I went for the perfect corduroy pants from Arket in a lovely mushroom color. Paired it whit a pail china blue alpaca sweater.
THE DRINK
I’m currently drinking Earl Grey Magestic (as always), but I’m planing to ad this on to the shelf after tasting it at a restaurant recently.
Green Island Rose by Teministeriet.
A fresh green tea with papaya, mango and rose. A taste that gives you the feeling of a new beginning.
ARTS & TEA - Book Club
This year we’ll dive into a curated selection of thought-provoking books that inspire reflection, discussion, and a deeper connection to the world around us.
To join in on the journey, sign up for For Your Eyes Only and secure your place in this exclusive book club experience. Together, we'll explore new perspectives, share insights, and create meaningful conversations around literature.
I look forward to reading with you!
Until next time,
Best/ Julia
Need to rewatch all of these amazingly stylish films and really pay attention to the details as I was too young when I first saw them! Maybe a good goal for January?
Impeccable as always! This left me with inspiration for days, will be rewatching A Perfect Murder tonight 🖤