story by JANICE LEWINE
photos courtesy of CHRIS LOVES JULIA
Home isn’t just where you are—it’s how you make it your own. For nearly two decades, Chris and Julia Marcum have been redefining everyday elegance through Chris Loves Julia, a nationally recognized platform that inspires millions—all from an unexpected Southern address: Cary. Their home, quietly chic and thoughtfully designed, reflects their signature style, blending moody and traditional aesthetics into spaces that feel warm, welcoming, and unmistakably theirs.
We spoke with Julia (while Chris shapes things behind the scenes) about growing a business as a couple, evolving the brand, and how their shared approach guides everything from room renovations to product collaborations. Their story is as much about marriage and teamwork as it is about design.
In this candid conversation with Triangle Family, Julia shares how she has moved beyond “loving where you live” to designing purposeful, artfully crafted spaces and working with esteemed brands such as Pottery Barn, Loloi, and Shutterfly to bring elegance and comfort to everyday life. She also opens up about inspiration, risk-taking, life in North Carolina, and what’s next for Chris Loves Julia. It’s a revealing look at how a personal passion became a design destination—and why intention and joy still lead the way.
The Marcums’ home, the creative hub of Chris Loves Julia, dazzles with thoughtful design. Their study commands
attention with a sweeping pastoral mural and distinctive lighting, contributing to the couple’s moody, traditional aesthetic.
TRIANGLE FAMILY: Every brand has a story. Tell us about Chris Loves Julia’s beginnings.
JULIA: We just celebrated our 16-year anniversary of blogging, and while I didn’t start this blog with any intention of it becoming a paid gig, let alone a full-time job for both Chris and me, it has become just that. I went to art school, but the real impetus for Chris Loves Julia—the blog—was to keep our family and friends up to date on home projects and pictures of our girls.
Building a business as a couple can’t be easy. What has surprised you most along the way?
Working together with your spouse is a whole different ballgame. I think what has surprised me most is how much it actually strengthens our relationship when we’re in the trenches of a project. We’ve learned that we’re better together than we are apart, even if we’re debating a paint swatch at 11 p.m. We’ve also learned that if we don’t agree, we haven’t come up with the right solution yet.
Chris is very much the “how” and I’m the “what”. Chris loves to execute projects, and I love to dream them up and put on the finishing touches. He handles the heavy lifting, the logistics, and the cooking (thank goodness!), while I’m focused on the vision, the aesthetics, and the storytelling.
There’s an ease to your style that really resonates. What’s the ethos behind your design decisions?
My guiding philosophy has evolved from “loving where you live” to focusing on making the everyday extraordinary. I believe that our ordinary, daily rhythms deserve just as much care as the big milestones, so I prioritize intentionality in the small things—from the aesthetics of a dish sponge to the warm glow of “lamp o’clock” (my favorite time of day!)—to ensure our home feels lived-in and joyful every single day. Chris and I decorate our home so that it’s family-friendly first, very livable. Don’t wait until you have the house of your dreams or the budget of your dreams to start improving where you live.
Their Cary home greets with a timeless façade.
Which trends do you consider timeless?
When it comes to design, I’m a firm believer that nothing is ever truly “out” of style if it’s well-loved. I personally think the polished heritage look is timeless. Think “vintage Ralph Lauren”—mahogany wood, polished silver decor, glass lamps, leather furniture. It speaks to my modern, traditional design aesthetic. I’ve always leaned toward moody, rich color. As I’ve gotten older, I try to use patterns that are more timeless, and the same goes for colors.
Do you provide design consulting services for clients?
While we don’t take on private design clients, we feel like the blog and our social channels allow us to “consult” for millions of people at once! We want to give you the tools to be your own designer or to know what to ask for when hiring one.
Share one small change anyone can make to improve a room.
Add or swap in a new rug! A rug is the literal foundation of the room’s design. It’ll set the tone, determine the vibe, and even reset the color palette.
When you need fresh inspiration, where do you turn?
Honestly, to find inspiration, I do what most people do: I go on Pinterest! It’s so easy to type in a design dilemma like “corner fireplace room layout” and see someone who really did it right. Before I start any project, I create a board with inspiring images I’ve collected.
Bringing your design into product lines is such an exciting step.
We’ve been so fortunate to work with some of the best brands in the business, from Loloi to Pottery Barn Kids to Shutterfly. When collaborating on product design, I always stay true to our moody, modern, traditional aesthetic, so our products look as if they could have come from our own home.
A dining room celebration embodies her belief in savoring life’s moments.
Does follower feedback influence a design or project decision?
It’s funny—I actually have the opposite reaction. If most of my followers vote on a poll I’ve shared about picking a color for a project, I’ll usually choose the one with the fewest votes. I like to take risks and push the envelope a little bit.
Our readers are curious—what drew you to the Triangle, and where were you living before?
Moving from Idaho to North Carolina was a decision we made for both personal health and family lifestyle reasons. After a particularly hard winter in Idaho, my doctors recommended moving to a more temperate climate to help manage my health condition (Hashimoto’s), as extreme cold makes it much harder to regulate body temperature. Raleigh hit nearly every mark on our spreadsheet: it’s an incredible medical hub with a mild climate, great schools, and it’s centrally located between the mountains and the beach.
What do you enjoy most about living here?
The weather here is so good that I’ve sold several other family members on it! While we usually cook and eat at home, there are so many great restaurants we love around the area. Some of our favorites in Raleigh are Oro, Azitra, St. Roch, and Second Empire. Around Cary, we love Seol Grille, Szechuan Mansion, Lucky 32, and MC Modern Asian Cuisine.
Your Cary home is more than a space—it’s where you belong.
What drew us to this house was its classic red-brick Georgian exterior—it felt like home instantly because it reminded me of the house I grew up in. Since it was built in 1996, before open concept took over, I appreciate that each room feels like its own unique space. That lets me play more with color and pattern to make each room sing.
Which home rituals help you feel connected as a family?
Gathering around the table is one of our favorite things as a family, whether that’s for a great dinner or a board game night (we’re really into Ito right now!). I like to set up my home so every ritual feels elevated, whether that’s adding a beautiful water glass to the bathroom vanity, or lighting candles or lamps throughout my house every evening instead of turning on the overhead lights. I like to reset the kitchen at night so we wake up to peace rather than clutter. It’s the small moments that really make most of your life, so why not make them feel more special?
The residence opens onto a breathtaking outdoor kitchen and backyard, expertly showcasing sophisticated design
in livable, welcoming spaces.
What do you hope your daughters gain from seeing your work and creativity?
Each of my three daughters is already interested in different aspects of what we do, and I’m so excited by them one day bringing their own joy and talents into their creative pursuits!
What’s next for the brand that excites you most?
The biggest project on the horizon is renovating a house we’re calling “Merrimore” on Lake Gaston. We bought it fully furnished, and it’s been wonderful to use it for a couple of seasons before we make it our own.
How do you and your family like to spend your spare time?
We frequently host family and friends to play card and board games. In the summer, you’ll find the girls in our backyard pool most nights. We plan to spend more time at the lake this year!
Chris and Julia are joined by their three daughters and beloved dog, Cricket.
We’d love to hear how Chris Loves Julia will continue to evolve over the next five years.
We’re focusing on a concrete plan for our platform and product expansion, which is very exciting. Last year, Chris achieved a long-held goal, and we launched Overachiever all-purpose spice blend— you can use it on everything savory, and I’m not just saying that! He’s already dreaming up more products to add to our Hey Old Sport roster. Chris has a lot of his cooking content over on YouTube—it’s a great resource for home cooks!
Looking back on your amazing journey, which achievement feels the most meaningful?
I’m most proud of the community we’ve built. It’s not just about renovations or the perfect paint color—it’s about helping people realize they can love where they live now and make everyday moments extraordinary.