In Phoenix? You’ll Want To Follow Julia Buckingham’s Guide To Great Design Finds

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“People walk in and they gasp,” says interior designer Julia Buckingham of her home furnishings boutique, Modernique.

The reason for such visceral responses lies in the mélange of color, textures and eras represented within. Here, you are as apt to find a midcentury sofa in tangerine as you are a gold pagoda serving tray—and it’s Buckingham’s practiced eye that makes it all work. The Chicago-born and -bred designer got her start in interior design after staging a handful of houses in Chicago’s North Shore.

Her approach—mixing vintage pieces with a modern aesthetic—soon had her collaborating on product lines, authoring a book and expanding her Chicago firm. After purchasing a second home in the Valley eight years ago, it was time to scale back and return to what she loves most: design. Buckingham opened Modernique in 2018 in the revitalized Uptown Plaza, where she also operates her design firm. She shared a few of her favorite Phoenix finds with Luxe.

1. WILLOWS FINE GOODS AND DESIGN

Why she loves it: “I adore a shop that has it all, and Willows is a fabulous example of this. They have everything from clothing to home decor. You can even register for wedding gifts here.” willowsdesign.com

camelback antiques vintage clothes and clothing

CAMELBACK ANTIQUES, PHOTO COURTESY STACE ROBBINS

2. CAMELBACK ANTIQUES

Why she loves it: “Camelback Antiques is the most welcoming shop, where I find the best pieces for my home and my place—I almost hate to give away my secret spot. Hidden treasures that salute the Southwestern spirit abound here.” camelbackantiques.com

3. RICHARDSON’S 

Why she loves it: “Every time we have friends in town, this spot in New Mexico is the first place we bring them. It has the coziest vibe, and the best New Mexican cuisine.” richardsonsnm.com

local nomad clothing on rack

PHOTO COURTESY LOCAL NOMAD

4. LOCAL NOMAD

Why she loves it: “It’s a simple and beautifully curated woman-owned business. I love finding charming and unusual artisanal goodies here.” localnomadshop.com