Here at PAGODA RED, we have a deep appreciation for designers who can mix modern and antique objects with aplomb. Julia Buckingham of Buckingham Interiors + Design (BID) is a master of the style—so much, that she coined her own term for it: Modernique.

We spoke with Julia and her Design Director Sara Kirshner, to get a sense of how the female-led team approaches new projects. Though the firm is based out of Chicago, they maintain a retail boutique in Phoenix, Arizona, where Julia resides, and have clients nationwide.

“Modernique is about blending the old with the new to reveal the beauty and delight in unexpected pairings,” says Julia. “It’s that synergy when antiques and modern furnishings are able to sit side by side and create an amazing aesthetic. It’s a very sought-after look.”

Sara’s favorite spaces are those that keep clients on their toes. “What’s amazing about our projects is that you may sense that you’re in a BID space, but no two are ever the same,” she says. “The idea is to have something in every room that keeps the wonder alive, sustaining the drama throughout the entire home. We love to keep people guessing, ‘what’s in the next room? What’s around the next corner?'”

Julia describes the design team’s collaborative approach as “trickle down, and then trickle back up,” with each member contributing their unique skills. The process begins when she and Sara meet with new clients for an in-depth interview.

“We get a sense of expectations, how involved the client would like to be, and where we are heading aesthetically,” she explains. “Design ideas will hit us right from the start, as soon as we walk in and begin building the relationship with the client and the space. A typical Modernique client will say, ‘I want this to be different, I want it to be unique, I want it to be something we haven’t seen before.'”

“People will tell you a lot about themselves as long as you listen,” Sara adds. “So we let them take the lead, and we listen for key words that let us know when to pull a little more. Maybe they’ll say, ‘I want a bright and colorful room’, which can really just mean they want a space with energy, that makes them feel excited when they walk in. Finding the language and clarifying key terms is important.”

Back at the studio, the entire team has a hand in sourcing exceptional items for the project. “I love that we really do work as a team,” says Sara. “Everyone who touches any part of a project will be on-site multiple times. We want everyone to feel involved and to showcase their talents. Julia is a very nurturing person of the arts, of designers, and of young women in general.”

As for their favorite jumping off points, Julia and Sara each have their own. Julia finds hers through curiosities and one-of-a-kind vintage pieces. She has the ability to see a piece, know exactly what fabric she’ll use to reupholster it, and then a build a room around it.

“For me it’s fabric,” says Sara. “I personally always keep fabrics pinned close to my desk—I come up with color stories and combinations, and then look for opportunities to incorporate them into the perfect project.”

In her book Modernique, Julia’s signature style is uniquely realized for each client. “I wanted to showcase the excitement that comes from being inspired by a particular piece or a room’s architecture,” says Julia.

“I know this sounds dramatic, but don’t be afraid. Collect what you love—adding pieces that you feel are disparate can create the most beautiful dichotomy. And start a collection, not necessarily with any final goal in mind, but with abandon,” she adds.

While she admits to being biased, Sarah calls Modernique “one of the most visually stunning and exciting design books I’ve ever looked through. It’s so beautiful and it’s also not so serious. Design should be inspiring and engaging, but it’s also okay to have fun,” she says.

According to Julia, the book quickly took on a life of its own—and opening a brick-and-mortar store, felt like a natural evolution. “It became apparent that the journey had begun for it to be a more interactive experience for readers, and design-driven individuals,” she says. The result is a boutique which embodies the look and feel of her celebrated book. “Where Modernique can be experienced not just by our clients, and book connoisseurs, but by everyone who comes to Phoenix,” says Julia.

Portrait by Synergistic Studios.
Hero shot: Design by Julia Buckingham. Photo by Eric Hausman.

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