The New Bohemians, design blogger Justina Blakeney’s debut interiors book, showcases a selection of 20 of her favourite homes and accompanies them with DIY tutorials and ideas to add that boho vibe to your own space.

If you are unsure of what defines bohemian style (I was a little hazy before I read this book), there is lots to enlighten you within its pages. Aesthetically, bohemian homes layer together bold patterns, warm colour palettes and lots and lots of plants to create eclectic spaces. But more than this, “bohemianism” is about having a unique style and not being afraid to let it run free. Throughout all of the homes showcased in The New Bohemians, making a personality-filled statement is key, and this results in spaces filled with meaningful items and plenty of heart.

Defining bohemianism further, the book groups the homes into six different categories – Modern, Folksy, Romantic, Earthy, Maximal and Nomadic. Maximal boho (the style which Justina favours for her own home which is also included in the book) is perhaps the style most commonly associated with bohemianism. What is most notable – and often most impressive – about these homes is the paradox which they create by displaying a carefree, anything-goes attitude to design whilst still creating well designed and cleverly thought-out spaces which flow seamlessly into one another. At the other end of the boho spectrum are the less traditional modern bohemian homes which boldly juxtapose clean white spaces with concentrated bursts of creativity to create contemporary, intriguing spaces.

With unique detail at the core of Bohemianism, all of the homes under all six sections vary drastically from one another. However, they do all share a similar goal – proving that designing a beautiful home is not about wealth but rather about creativity, confidence and personality.

My favourite home in the book has to be that of Emily Baker and Kerby Ferris, a pair of Earthy Bohemian creative’s who’s home is dotted with quirk detail and spontaneous creativity. Despite loving their home – and so many of the others in the book – I would never want to live in it, as for me, that is not what Bohemian style – or The New Bohemians – is about. Justina has not curated a catalogue of homes to copy but rather a collection to inspire a new generation of Bohemians to embrace their curiosities, follow them to see where they lead and ultimately find their own boho-bliss. After all, a style grown from the things, peoples, places and cultures you love never goes out of fashion!

As well as being a stylist, book author and product designer, Justina runs The Jungalow, an award-winning blog where she regularly shares her latest projects and inspiration. Hers is the type of blog you can get lost in for days and days, which is exactly what I did the first time I stumbled across it. My favourite quote from all that I have read (I liked it so much I scribbled it down and stuck it up on my wall) was her advice to “think of your home as a cabinet of curiosities”. And this is what I think of her books as – a cabinet filled with inspirational words, delectable imagery and clever ideas, just waiting for you to open it up and discover what lays inside.

You can order a copy of The New Bohemians here and follow along with all Justina’s bohemian adventures at www.thejungalow.com

Author and Stylist – Justina Blakeney

Photography -Dabito

Publisher – Stewart, Tabori & Chang

Greg McIndoe

cargocollective.com/gregmcindoe