Life Lately with Julia—A Personal Update

The first part of this year has held a little bit of everything—blessings, grief, celebrations, happiness, and joy. It’s hard to believe we’re already in September, and I’m hopeful these last few months will bring a slower pace. Either way, my heart is already so full.

I thought it would be fun to share a little glimpse into what I’ve been up to this year—both personally and with Kirkendall Design.

In March, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Morocco with my design tribe. Inspiration was everywhere—the vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and lively markets with olives piled high at every turn. Some of my favorite memories were the evenings, gathered for dinners under the stars, experiencing the kind of hospitality that stays with you long after the trip is over. Sharing it all with my design tribe made the adventure even more meaningful.

That same month held both sorrow and joy. My brother passed away unexpectedly, and we also hosted a baby shower at The Studio for my daughter, who was expecting twin boys at the time.

In April, we hosted a wedding shower at The Studio for my son, Drew. 

Stan reading to the grandkids—something he does every chance he gets.

We celebrated Easter with the family.

May marked the opening of the 2025 Designer Showcase—a project we had been hard at work on for months leading up to the big reveal. Serving as the general contractor made the experience especially meaningful.

Julia Kirkendall, principal designer and owner of Kirkendall Design poses in the 2025 Designer Showcase home

See more of the 2025 Designer Showcase Home here. And to make the month even more exciting, our twin grandbabies were born!

Kindergarten graduation for my oldest grandson!

In June, our design team traveled to the Utah Valley Parade of Homes. You can see all the design inspiration we spotted here!

We celebrated our son Drew’s wedding in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic that same month.

At the end of summer, we enjoyed grandkid adventures in St. Louis, Galveston, and Houston for a baseball game!

As we move into the final months of the year, I’m looking forward to a little rest, family time, travel, and plenty of inspiration along the way!