In a Room is a conversation series where we ask our friends to share their favourite domestic spaces. For this edition, we’re joined by artist Julie Paterson.
Julie Paterson is a painter, printmaker, and textile designer based in the Blue Mountains, on Dharug and Gundungurra Country. Best known as the founder of ClothFabric, Julie’s work celebrates imperfection, process, and the handmade — transforming the Australian landscape and its textures into bold, painterly forms. Her practice spans fine art, design, and teaching, grounded in a slow, sustainable approach that honours place and craft..
In this edition, Julie invites us into her world of hearths and handmade things: the Blackheath studio where she paints and writes, the ironstone fireplace that warms her home, and the scruffy, soulful spaces that speak of care and use. Her reflections tell the story of a life built around texture and time, where fabric, clay, paint, and memory all hold the imprint of living well.
Sean Hogan
I'm currently in my Blackheath studio, answering emails and doing paperwork. Trying rush through it all before heading out to watch the full moon rise over the mountains.
The heart of our home is where the fireplace is: the hearth. It is a magnificent, handmade ironstone fireplace that is built into the wall. It offers excellent thermal mass in winter and allows for a consistent liveable temperature in the room when the fire isn’t lit. Our home is literally built around that fireplace. The windows look out west to the sunsets over the mountains. We sit here every evening and feel very lucky indeed.
My bedroom as a kid - around 11 or so. I have vivid memories of my bedroom having just had a makeover by my mum. New built-in cupboards, textured woven brown and white curtains, a brown and white matching bedspread - it was the 1970’s!
I also remember that it had lamp with a ceramic base that had a painted scene of Fred Flintstone style men in animal skins brandishing clubs running around chasing each other. When ever I smell freshly painted walls I think of that bedroom. I loved it so!
Hand made textiles, a collection of personal paintings than have their own stories, hand made pottery. Mismatched and homely and a bit scruffy feeling.
The Home of Julie Paterson
I avoid the spare room. So unresolved! I have trouble staying tidy and organised. I often don't know what to do with things. Where do they go, these things? In the spare room thats where. Quick close that door and ignore it all.
Living rooms. I love seeing how people relax. I love relaxing. I love relaxing in peoples living rooms.
My clay studio. Except for the native mouse who also lives there!