Step into the wild: Introducing Jungalow for Paperless Post
Joyful energy, vibrant colors, and everything in abundance—who wouldn’t want to integrate more of these into their life? Thankfully, Jungalow wholeheartedly agrees. The lifestyle brand and creative studio founded by multidisciplinary artist Justina Blakeney is all about embracing maximalism, fostering connections with nature, and bringing positive vibes into any home through Blakeney’s hand-painted artwork and eclectic designs.
It’s no surprise to learn that nature is one of the most significant influences behind Jungalow’s artistic ethos, as Blakeney herself lives amongst a sprawling 52(!) houseplants in her home in Los Angeles, California. What began back in 2009 as a design blog operated out of Blakeney’s (plant-filled) living room, has now blossomed into so much more. From botanical interior designs to unique home goods in bold, geometric patterns, the diverse artwork of Jungalow celebrates all the wild and wonderful aspects of Mother Earth, humanity, and meaningful connections.
As our newest Paperless Post design partner, Jungalow is launching a diverse collection of Cards that evoke the true “jungalicious” spirit, drawing inspiration from the natural world, travel adventures, and the magic of the celestial universe. We spoke with talented artist and Chief Creative Officer Justina Blakeney to learn about her artistic process, dream event details, and what vibes she hopes to curate for hosts and guests alike through this exclusive collection of invitations for weddings, birthdays, dinner parties, and more.
For your Paperless Post collection, what are you most excited about?
I love that we are going to help set the tone for and be a part of people’s most memorable celebrations! This is such a special opportunity to extend the Jungalow joy from home décor to life’s most cherished rites of passage and celebrations of love, growth, and major milestones. Marking these special moments is so important in our communities and personal lives, and it’s an honor to be a part of it and contribute in a soulful, fun, and vibrant way.
What would you say is the ethos of Jungalow?
Jungalow celebrates creativity, individuality, and our connection to nature. We encourage a holistic approach to design that fosters joy, warmth, fun, and a sense of community. We hope that our work helps people cultivate spaces that nourish the soul, connect with nature, and reflect the unique spirit of those who inhabit them.
What influences went into choosing the designs for the digital invitations in this collection?
I love to infuse a transportive quality into my designs, which is especially exciting when creating invitations. I always ask myself, “What do I want people to feel when they see these designs?” and “Where do I want them to go?”. Sometimes the destination is a literal place—a vibrant country like Morocco, Mexico, or Italy. Other times, it’s an imaginary realm—a secret garden, a magical treehouse, or a cosmic desert. Regardless, I cherish the feeling of being transported the moment an invitation is opened.
In my design work, pinpointing exact influences and inspirations is often elusive. It’s akin to recalling a strange dream where fragments stem from recent life events, while other elements feel mysteriously channeled and otherworldly. However, many of my designs feature botanical elements, especially palm trees, alongside geometric and celestial motifs. My love for sunshine and palm trees reflects my California roots, while my fascination with geometric patterns is inspired by my world travels, and my affinity for celestial motifs stems from my curiosity about the unknown.
How do you stay inspired?
Nature hikes, reading, perusing vintage bookstores and libraries, deep conversations with people I love (and the occasional stranger), painting, and working with my hands. I recently took up pottery and began doing linocuts again. I think that getting outdoors, journaling, and working with my hands keeps me connected and helps to keep my channels clear so that I can receive the muse when she knocks at my door.
How has nature informed your designs and artwork?
Nature profoundly influences my artwork and style. I believe that, much like plants, good design has roots that ground us, branches that reach out and connect us, blossoms that bring joy, and fruit that nourishes our spirits. The rich colors, intricate patterns, and dynamic textures found in nature are echoed in my designs. My fascination with the diverse forms, colors, and textures of plants and landscapes drives my creativity. By incorporating natural elements and inspiration, I
aim to create designs that promote a sense of peace and joy. For me, nature is not just an influence, but a cornerstone of my artistic vision, grounding and guiding my creative journey.
Your work often incorporates bold colors and patterns—what advice would you give to others when using colors and patterns in general?
- Choose a jumping-off place: I like to start with one piece I love—it could be a piece of art, wallpaper, or a bold rug—and then I use that piece to guide my color and pattern choices. I like to stick to 1 to 2 dominant colors and 2 to 3 supporting colors to keep my color palette dynamic but cohesive.
- Mix patterns thoughtfully: Balance bold patterns with softer ones, and large repeats with smaller ones, to avoid overwhelming the space.
- Have fun! Don’t get too “in your head” about it. Try things out. Experiment. Discover what lights you up and do more of that. Design can be fun! Lean into the joy!
Is there a narrative that you would say exists throughout this collection?
Recurring symbols such as palm trees, the sun, butterflies, and flowers—particularly papyrus and tulips—appear throughout the designs. Palm trees evoke feelings of paradise, peace, abundance, and divine blessings, while the sun embodies life, vitality, energy, warmth, and optimism. Butterflies signify transformation, while papyrus represents creativity, communication, and artistic expression, as it was historically used by the Ancient Egyptians to craft scrolls for writing. Lastly, tulips symbolize love and renewal. Together, these symbols form a rich tapestry of peace, abundance, growth, transformation, creativity, communication, and love—a visual narrative that invites an abundance of positive energy into life’s celebrations.
Describe for us your dream event or reason for bringing people together. First, what is the backdrop?
The backdrop is my home. My home is surrounded by sprawling olive and oak trees and sits in the foothills of a glorious mountain. My décor is vibrant, layered, and deeply personal. It tells the story of my life and the people I love.
Who’s got a seat at the table?
My family: The family I was born into, the family I made, and the family I chose.
How do you create the perfect mood?
Music! (Sade! Stevie! Astrud! Prince! Fela!) Moments of live music too! Food! (An intercontinental feast—a spread of salads, soups, dumplings, spreads, and breads from around the globe!) Candles everywhere! Flowers and greenery in abundance! A color theme that guests are invited to adhere to (Everyone wears pink!).
What activities would take place?
Dancing! Singing! Oracle card reading! Swimming! A fire pit with marshmallow roasting!
If you were to give 3 pieces of advice to a host who wants to throw an event that evokes the same flair as your invitations, what would they be?
- Incorporate natural elements such as potted plants, large palm fronds, and floral arrangements with plenty of tulips and papyrus (seasons permitting!).
- Serve foods inspired by fresh, local, colorful ingredients, including vibrant salads, tropical fruit platters, and flavorful mezze spreads. Consider incorporating eclectic cocktails, herbal teas, and infused water stations to keep guests hydrated and refreshed.
- Mix colors, textures, and patterns in your décor, including vibrant textiles, and lush greenery. Layer rugs and floor cushions so people feel welcome to be barefoot, dance, sprawl out, and make themselves comfortable. But above all, embrace the spirit of spontaneity and adventure, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in the experience.
What feeling do you hope hosts and guests will have when they use or receive your designs?
I hope that when people use and receive our designs they are filled with a sense of wonder and excitement. These small moments of delight throughout each day come together to create a beautiful life—and that’s what we aim to be a part of.
Anything else you’d like to share about this collection?
Just that I can’t wait to use them myself for my next shindig!!
Now that you’ve gotten to know the artist behind the worldly wonders, browse the full collection of Jungalow’s Paperless Post invitations.
