Meet Julie Thomas | Home Decor and Design Specialist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Julie Thomas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Julie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The main driver behind starting Julianne’s was to create joy – not only in my life but the life of my customers. I have loved beautiful things and helping to make my surroundings beautiful while reflecting the personal lifestyle in my home. Secondly, I was fortunate enough to be offered a beautifully restored flagship building on the Stephenville our building is in the National Registry of Historic Places

I have always been inspired by timeless, modern simplicity and the beauty of everyday living. A couple of years after opening I advanced to a full-service interior design and home decor shop.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My career has been multi-faceted! My educational training and 35 years of my life were dedicated to the nursing professional. Nursing is definitely an art and a science which fits nicely with what feeds my spirit. After years of helping others decorate and design I decided to leave corporate health care and focus on my artistic outlet. Nursing, as a caring and listening professional has aided in my ability to listen to my clients and help create the space that best reflects their lifestyle.
There are certainly many challenges to owning your own business. Finding the right people to help support my vision and appropriately represent the Julianne’s brand. I encourage those with an entrepreneurial spirit and the desire to set your own schedule and dream your dreams to move forward-be brave!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh wow! We certainly have some hidden treasures! I love to eat so we would visit Greer’s Ranch cafe for some real Texas Chicken Fried Steak. For a quite dinner-Newton’s Cellar boasts a wonderful chef who makes steak and potatoes unique with is own Texas flair. Either before or after dinner you should visit Hearsay Wine Bar. Local attorney Brady Pendleton and his wife Lisa have created a captivating setting for winding down with local wines.
Don’t miss a tour of our local University-Tarleton State-a part of Texas A&M-boasting over 10,000 students and division one athletics.
Want to exercise your creative spirit? Pinspiration is the place for you to get your crafting groove on! With activities for groups, girls trip or couples just let Amanda Mills help you with your fun!
A quick drive of about 25 minutes will take you to Thurber, Texas. Visit the Smokestack restaurant where Mollie and Brian Borders have maintained the family restaurant business in an historical location. Look for imprints on the bricks around the Stephenville courthouse and see why Thurber is an important stop on your trip to Stephenville.
We would have to go where you can see first hand why Stephenville is the Cowboy Capital of Texas. On any given weekend you can watch cowboys from all over the US compete in rodeo events. In September, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association members flood Stephenville for the PRCA Rodeo. Stephenville boasts legends in rodeo. Perhaps most popular is Ty Murray who lives and owns a beautiful ranch outside of Stephenville.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The success of Julianne’s deserves a shoutout to a number of people. My husband, Steve Thomas, has worked alongside me and encouraged me each step of the way. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my landlord, Michele Dunkerly. Michele is the owner and restorer of this beautiful building. During COVID closures, Michele was so patient with me when sales were slow. She continues as a valuable mentor and supporter of Julianne’s.

Website: julianneslifestyle.com

Instagram: @juliannes_lifestyle

Facebook: juliannes