At Home with Julianne Hough

It’s been a busy year for Julianne Hough. In the past twelve months, the 27-year-old actress, dancer, and singer launched a lifestyle blog, delivered a much-praised performance in Grease: Live, got engaged to longtime love Brooks Laich, and debuted an activewear line. Busy as she is, though, the multi-hyphenate star still finds time to relax—usually with friends and family in her own backyard. Inspired by her love of outdoor gatherings, we recently teamed up to with Hough to give her space a decor makeover. In between arranging pillows and place settings, she took a few minutes to chat with us about her approach to al fresco hosting and personalizing her one-of-a-kind space. Here’s what she had to say.

What's your favorite way to spend time in your outdoor space?
I love having friends and family over for dinner parties, it’s an excuse to decorate! I hosted a girl’s dinner a few weeks ago and used these adorable place settings from Joss & Main. If I’m just laying low, I’ll read on the couch with my dogs Lexi and Harley, or have breakfast outside.

That's right! When our team was leaving, you were getting ready to host a dinner party for 17 girlfriends—are you the consummate host in your circle? What’s your favorite thing about hosting?
My girlfriends and I alternate who hosts our dinners, but I do love hosting in general. My favorite thing would have to be just bringing everyone together. There’s nothing better than hanging out and bonding with friends, all while eating a yummy meal.

With summer on the way, do you have any outdoor entertaining tips you could share with us?
Music is at the top of my list to create a party-perfect backdrop. I also love to use fresh flowers for a pop of color and a fresh, summery smell. For nighttime gatherings, I love setting candles everywhere to create a moody yet cozy vibe.

We love the large eucalyptus branches you used for your table’s centerpiece. What’s your favorite flower for the table, and how do you think they’re best displayed?
I love sunflowers and lilies. Although, I love all fresh flowers for centerpieces. I think they're best displayed in an oversized glass vase or an organic piece of pottery for more interest.

We also love the way you mixed natural elements with more elegant serveware here. What are your tips for setting a table that’s relaxed yet still special?
In my opinion, a beautiful table setting is all about mixing textures and materials. I love earthy tones and natural fibers, but I also like to add metallic elements like brass tones for a sophisticated feel. I suggest keeping your dishware fairly neutral as the foundation, and then introducing pops of color through your glassware and linens to take your setting to the next level.

What about what actually goes on those place settings—do you have a favorite food when it comes to dining al fresco?
At my girl’s dinner, we cooked Mediterranean. We grilled chicken and steak kabobs, and had a variety of healthy Greek salads and side dishes.

How has your style on the red carpet and ballroom floor influenced your design style? Do your interior design tastes reflect your taste in fashion?
Fashion definitely influences my interior design style. I love to wear vintage pieces, but also keep things simple and clean, similar to my taste in design. As for the red carpet and the ballroom, I like to take risks and mix it up, which is also something I’ve done with my home.

You’ve been in your home for almost two years now—what was your approach to decorating it when you first moved in?
Before I started any work on the house, I spent hours online researching and getting inspired. I’m fortunate in that I’ve been able to travel a lot for work and have picked up many ideas along the way. During the process, I also took numerous day trips around Los Angeles to some of my favorite stores—I love to mix vintage pieces with newer items. When I moved into the house, there were some pieces I couldn’t find, so I had them custom made, which really allowed me to add my own personal touch.

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