Mother, ocean lover, big thinker — Julia Ashwood has always had a way of creating spaces that feel both soulful and stylish. As a hotelier, space creator, traveller, and presenter, she has built a career around weaving together design, hospitality, and storytelling. We are huge fans. Read on the find out more about Julia as she answers our 55 questions…
Julia’s journey began far from the boutique stays and creative ventures she’s known for today — with a first job in retail at a surf shop in Lennox Head and a childhood dream of hosting a travel show. Those early sparks of adventure and connection never left her. Over the years, Julia has co-created beloved restaurants and pubs with her husband and business partner, and most recently sold her stake in the much-talked-about Sun Ranch in Byron Bay.
Now, she is channelling her experience into her newest project: Room Service Masterclass. A five-week creative hospitality course, it’s designed to share everything she’s learned about building spaces that not only look beautiful but run seamlessly and feel truly personal. As Julia puts it, “tickets just went live and it’s going to be a hoot!”
Here’s Julia, in her own words, answering our bellamumma q’s…
1. You, in three words?
Mother, ocean lover, big thinker.
2. What drives your inspiration?
My kids. Nature. The knowingness that we only get one beautiful life and to make it count.
3. Your job title?
Hotelier, space creator, traveller, presenter.
4. Your very first job?
Retail – All Above Board Surf Shop, Lennox Head!
5. Childhood dream job?
Besides wanting to be on Play School, I always wanted to host a travel show.
6. The backstory of your business?
Our family and business partners have a bunch of restaurants and pubs. I recently sold the hotel I was involved with, Sun Ranch in Byron Bay, and now I’m pouring everything I’ve learnt into a 5-week creative hospitality course — Room Service Masterclass. Tickets just went live and I can’t wait to kick it into gear.
7. Take us through a typical day.
Lately it’s been 4am starts filming for Room Service, but normally I’m up before 6am for a lighthouse walk, ocean swim or pilates, then coffee with my girlfriends. My husband and I alternate the school run — if you don’t get up on your day, you miss your chance!
8. What brightens your day?
Good friends, good food, connecting with people, music and lots of laughing.
9. Three must-haves in your life?
Family, friends, ocean time.
10. Best life advice you’ve got?
Be kind, take care of each other & keep moving forward with grace and love.
11. Favourite escape spot?
North Stradbroke Island has been our saviour.
12. How do you unwind?
Well, I’m in the bath right now!
13. Top four tunes on your playlist?
Olivia Dean, Marlon Williams – Beautiful Dress, Warpaint – Champion, Lake Kelly – Walking Cradle.
14. Where do you see yourself in five years?
On holidays in Greece!
15. Coffee or tea?
It’s an AM/PM situation, but if I had to choose — a Mushlove from Highlife Cafe any day.
16. Favourite book?
Almost French — I found my old copy recently and it made me smile.
17. Last movie you watched?
I only watch The Voice or Australian Idol with my daughter — she’s obsessed.
18. Ideal vacation destination?
Anywhere by the sea. We’ve spent time in California, we adore Japan, and I’m excited to travel more now the kids are older.
19. Favourite fashion trend?
I don’t follow trends. I love denim, a good suit, and Chloe is probably my favourite luxury house.
Carolyn Murphy, Zoë Kravitz, and Margot Robbie.
21. Go-to outfit?
Denim jeans and a white tee.
22. Beauty routine must-haves?
Mukti Organics cleansing balm and Queen of the Night cream, ILIA lip pencil, MECCA tinted sunscreen.
23. Favourite skincare product?
Just started using Booie and Merit.
24. Daily exercise routine?
Lighthouse walk or light jog, reformer Pilates, and I’m trying to get back into meditation.
25. Favourite workout?
Pilates with my amazing teacher.
26. Guilty pleasure food?
Loco Love chocolate and Mum’s baked lasagne.
27. Favourite cuisine?
Vietnamese — fresh and spicy.
28. Favourite flower?
Anything my son picks for me.
29. Interior design style?
Organic, earthy, playful, sensory — spaces with personality.
30. Dream home location?
Our little shack now… but one day, Greece.
31. Favourite room in your house?
The kitchen — the heart of the home.
32. Best way to spend a Sunday?
With (aka Nana) and the family.
33. Favourite hobbie?
Tennis — I’m terrible, but my friends are patient!
34. Favourite TV show?
White Lotus.
35. Last show you binge-watched?
White Lotus.
36. Favourite movie genre?
Travel and romance.
37. Favourite quote?
Most things Anthony Bourdain said.
38. Biggest fear?
Dying before I’ve done it all.
39. Most treasured possession?
YSL vintage suede jacket.
40. Favourite item in your wardrobe?
My Chloe boots.
41. Favourite accessory?
Statement gold earrings.
42. Favourite colour?
Rainbow.
43. Lucky number?
22.
44. Favourite animal?
My kids.
45. Best gift you’ve ever received?
A massage.
46. Most embarrassing moment?
Too embarrassed to remember!
47. Proudest accomplishment?
Being a mum. Taking risks outside my comfort zone.
48. Biggest lesson learned?
Gut always.
49. Favourite celebrity encounter?
They’re all faves.
50. Most memorable career moment?
Plenty of highlights — and more to come. I’m only 44 after all!
51. Relationship deal-breaker?
Scent & snoring.
52. Dream date night?
A day of swims, food, wine and more swims.
53. What ritual sets the tone for your day?
Water — being in it or remembering to drink it!
54. Favourite holiday tradition?
Card games and Polaroids.
55. Best advice about work-life balance?
Your family needs you more than any deadline.
We love Julia! Her effortless style — organic, earthy, sexy and always with personality — shines through everything she does. Follow her on Instagram here @the_vista or more of her world and behind the scenes of Room Service Masterclass.
More about Room Service Masterclass
Julia has a gift for creating spaces that feel warm, inviting, and a little magical. From boutique stays to design projects, she brings heart and personality into everything she touches.
With Room Service Masterclass, she is sharing that creative know-how in a five-week course designed to help you transform any space — whether it’s a family home, a rental, or something brand new — into a place that tells your story. Covering mood, sustainability, design systems, and those thoughtful details that make a house feel like home, the course is about more than design tips.
It’s about learning to see your space differently — and bringing meaning and character into every corner.
Discover more about Room Service Masterclass here: roomservicemasterclass.com