At home with Julie Goodwin – Our beautiful Australian cook, author, radio and television presenter, Julie Goodwin recently shared with My Hygge Home some insights into her home and hygge ways.
As we all remember, Julie won the inaugural season of MasterChef Australia in 2009. She was amazing and won the hearts of the nation!
Julie was given the opportunity to write her own cookbook, which she called Our Family Table.
She also released further cookbooks such as Heart of the Home, Gather, 20/20 Meals, Homemade Takeaway and Essential Cookbook.
I can’t wait to get my hands on the whole collection!
Let’s hear from Julie:
How would you describe the interior style of your home? What is the colour scheme, vibe, furniture style, and look/feel you desire?
I would describe the interior of my home as colourfully chaotic. It has some classic older furniture in the formal areas. The artworks are all from travels, or friends, or pictures of family – it’s not been “styled” as such, everything on display has some kind of meaning. It feels a bit old-world, hopefully warm, very definitely lived in.
Photo credit: The Central Nest
How do you add comfort and cosiness to your home, what are your favourite snug pieces, so you are comfortable?
I have some rugs that my mother-in-law crocheted before she passed away. These are fought over in the winter between the humans and the dogs. We have lots of throw cushions, rugs and big comfy couches.
How often do you set the table for meals and eat together as a family or with friends?
We set the table most nights. Occasionally if there’s only 2 or 3 of us home, we have a “couch dinner” with the tv muted, but mostly we sit at the table. Every Monday night is kind of “come one come all” night, I never know how many people will be there, luckily we have an extension dining table and we can all squeeze around that if we need to.
What do you think is the importance of gathering for meals, and what impact do you think it has on mental health, and a sense of belonging?
Gathering for meals is the best part of my day, without a doubt. We go around the table and share our highlight of the day, we laugh and pay out on each other. It can be the only time we are all connected in a day. As my boys get older and busier, it becomes more and more important for us to find these moments in our lives to relax and just enjoy our favourite people.
Photo credit: Julie Goodwin
Name three hygge “comfort food” recipes of yours that are ideal for friends or family gatherings.
Probably my favourite things to make for a family dinner are a curry, a roast or a pasta dish. (Here are Julie’s suggestions):
If you are entertaining guests, describe some ways that you style your dining table? For example, what do you use for centrepieces, do you have a theme, how do you prefer to set the table and what are essential items you always layout?
I like to have a table runner or trivets along the centre of the table, as my favourite way to serve food is “banquet-style’, to the centre of the table so everyone can serve themselves and each other. There is rarely room for a decorative centrepiece, as the food takes up every available space! Very important to me is to have the appropriate condiments – for example if it’s Indian, to have the chutneys and yoghurts, or if it’s pasta to have a block of parmesan and grater at the table ready to go.
Congratulations on winning the first season of Masterchef! Apart from winning, what was your other most memorable moment on the show?
Definitely at the end when my family came in! I hadn’t seen them for so long and I missed them so much. I thought my heart was going to burst.
Bird Banter Placemat & Coaster sets
Lastly, thank you so much for your contribution and time. What is your favourite tableware design at My Hygge Home and why?
I love the “bird banter” design. I have always loved little birds. When my boys are all at home I say “all my chicks are in the nest”, even though they are giant-sized men in their 20s.
Thank you again Julie for your time and special insights into your home, I love your banquet-style idea and I’m definitely going to try your chicken curry this weekend!
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(Top photo credit: Penguin Books)
