I grew up in Berkeley but my grandparents lived in Los Angeles. We visited often. Traveling to L.A. to see them was always a real treat. The house they lived in until I was about four or five, I have only a vague memory of. I believe it was a mid-century style home, all on one level surrounding a pool. One thing that stands out in my memory though, is a botanical/jungalicious wallpaper motif that was echoed throughout the home. My grandparents also have really great taste, and everything in the house was just so.
I think that my memories of this home might very well have been the catalyst for my obsession with Jungalow prints and patterns as well as mid-century lines and maybe even L.A. in general. And you know how in the late 70’s and early 80’s a lot of homes went totally overboard with pattern? That’s kinda how I remember my grandparents’ house being, but like, in an amazing way. 
Yesterday I designed this print inspired by the Agave (and other plant life) at the Huntington Gardens. Something about it reminds me of my grandparents’ botanical motif. So I rendered a little room after it. I took the pattern and pushed it to its maximal limits–by imagining it on the floor, on the walls, as window treatments and pillows, true to 70’s style. Now all that’s missing is me, lying on the couch, in a dress with the same pattern on it, and preferably, I’m wearing my hair just like this lady is wearing hers. So what can I say? I think pattern overload is back. What do you think? Can you get on board with pattern overload? Are you ready to cover everything in the same pattern like I am??
For a tutorial on how I make these repeating patterns, go here. For a tutorial on how to make these kind of room renderings, go here.
I used to love going to people’s homes who had lots of pattern all over- the more the merrier! (And don’t think I didn’t spot that copy of The New Bohemians in that room).
It really does look like grandmas house, I think there’s a picture of you on that loves eat…I’ll look.
I NEED this pattern as a wallpaper! Love it and love the more is more look.
I also super dooper need the top pattern here as a wallpaper. Like I will not survive without it. Is this pattern becoming a wallpaper a possibility?
Hi Justina,
My name is Jaime and I am emailing on behalf of Touché Hombre, a Mexican restaurant in Melbourne
We are participating in the bar awards that are coming up in September and we would be really interested in using your designed agave patterns for dress shirts to be worn at the awards.
Is this something you could help us with?
We would of coarse pay you for the use of your artwork and credit you on the design also.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Jaime