Justina Blakeney is an American designer and author known for her “boho” aesthetic. Her first book, The New Bohemians: Cool and Collected Homes, was a New York Times bestseller.

Early life and education

Blakeney grew up in Berkeley, California. Her father is African-American and Native American, and her mother is of Eastern European Jewish descent. She states that this multi-ethnic background and California upbringing influenced her bohemian aesthetic.

She graduated from UCLA in 2001 with a B.A. in World Arts and Cultures.

After receiving her BA, she attended fashion school in Italy.

Career

Blakeney named her design and lifestyle blog “Jungalow,” a combination of jungle and bungalow. Using the blog and social media as platforms, Blakeney created a collection of shaggy rugs for Loloi, a wallpaper collection with boutique firm Hygge & West, the Justina Blakeney Home collection with Anthropologie, a bedding line at Target, and a home fabrics collection with Calico Corners stores. She has a line at Living Spaces, and a collection of bedding, storage, lighting, and small gifts for Pottery Barn Kids.

Her designs for fashion retailer Moda Operandi, including portraits of fashion icons such as Grace Jones, where featured in Vogue Magazine.

Books

Her first book, The New Bohemians: Cool and Collected Homes book, was released in 2015. The New Bohemians: Come Home to Good Vibes, was released in October 2017. They are coffee table books with design photos featuring residences, and includes resources such as houseplant guides and project instructions.

Personal life

Blakeney lives with her husband and daughter in a 1926 bungalow located in the Frogtown neighborhood of Los Angeles.  Her home was featured in interior decorating magazine House Beautiful.