Jungalow Review: Bohemian Home Decor with a Global, Eclectic Twist

The Story Behind Jungalow

Designer, blogger, and entrepreneur Justina Blakeney has transformed her passion for color, pattern, and plants into Jungalow – a wildly successful bohemian home decor brand.

It all started in 2009 when Justina began blogging about her adventures decorating her tiny studio apartment in Italy. She filled the space top to bottom with vibrant textiles, hanging plants, and eclectic found objects sourced on her global travels. Her blog followers fell in love with the "Jungalow" style and wanted to know where they could buy similar items.

Spotting an opportunity, Justina began designing and curating her own line of home goods to sell online. Her collections reflect her bold, free-spirited aesthetic with an emphasis on lush botanicals, energetic patterns, and playful colors.

As Jungalow‘s creative director, Justina still designs many products herself. She takes inspiration from nature as well as her multicultural background. (Her mom is Italian-Norwegian and her dad is African-American and Native-American.) This unique mix of influences makes the Jungalow look distinctly original and fresh.

Jungalow‘s Signature Style

Scrolling through the Jungalow website is like taking a trip to some tropical fantasy world. You‘ll spot palm leaf prints, exotic florals, wild animals, and geometric shapes in a rainbow of happy hues. There‘s nothing minimalist about it – more is definitely more in Jungalow‘s world!

The brand describes its style as "eclectic, wild, and cozy." Some key elements that make a room feel "Jungalow-esque":

• Lots and lots of plants! Both living greenery and plant motifs on textiles and art
• A mix of bright colors and contrasting patterns
• Natural materials like jute, rattan, and raw wood to add warmth and texture
• Artisanal pieces that look handmade or collected over time
• Casual, inviting furniture you can really lounge on
• A touch of global flair through items like Moroccan rugs, suzani quilts, or Mexican embroidery

The overall effect is a space bursting with life, culture, and personality. It‘s an optimistic, feel-good look that doesn‘t take itself too seriously. Creativity is king and perfection is boring. As Justina says, the Jungalow way is all about "living with color, pattern and plants, and getting a little wild in the process!"

Jungalow‘s Product Selection

So what can you actually buy from Jungalow? The brand carries a huge array of items for every room in the house (and patio too!). Here‘s a quick breakdown by category:

Decor

From throw pillows to planters to wall art, Jungalow‘s decor selection is vast. You‘ll find quirky items like llama-shaped vases, pom pom garlands, and banana leaf wallpaper. Tie your room together with colorful rugs in eye-catching prints, then add warmth with chunky knit blankets.

Furniture

While Jungalow doesn‘t sell large furniture pieces, they do offer accent items like side tables, stools, and poufs. Raw wood nesting tables and hand-painted ceramic garden stools lend an artisanal touch.

Textiles

Bedding is one of Jungalow‘s strengths. Their signature duvet covers, quilts, and sheets come in playful novelty prints you won‘t find anywhere else. Think dancing zebras, watercolor cactuses, and tropical fruits! Curtains and tea towels round out the textile offerings.

Tabletop

Entertaining essentials like cloth napkins, coasters, and serving trays get the Jungalow treatment with bold patterns and organic shapes. Even simple items like a straw placemat look special.

Plants

You can‘t have a Jungalow without plenty of plants! The brand sells a curated selection of low-maintenance species like succulents, air plants, and philodendrons. All orders come with detailed care instructions.

Art

Jungalow spotlights independent artists through an exciting collection of prints and photography. Find unique pieces featuring strong women, jungle animals, and of course – houseplants galore! Prints come either unframed or framed in natural wood.

Quality and Craftsmanship

With such a huge product assortment, you might assume Jungalow uses cheap, mass-produced goods. But refreshingly, many of their items are ethically handcrafted by talented artisans around the globe.

For example, the popular Kazi baskets are woven by women in Uganda using natural banana leaf fiber and sisal. These intricate, one-of-a-kind pieces take hours to create. Similarly, the stunning kilim rugs are hand-loomed by Turkish weavers using centuries-old techniques.

The brand is passionate about preserving traditional crafts and ensuring makers earn a fair wage for their work. Many products are certified Fair Trade, meaning artisans work in safe conditions and receive above-average pay. Jungalow also prioritizes eco-friendly materials like organic cotton and natural dyes whenever possible.

Of course, handmade items do come with a higher price tag. Jungalow‘s quilts start at $200 and their rugs can climb over $500 for a large size. Art prints are more affordable, ranging from $30-$200 depending on size and framing. But you truly get what you pay for – heirloom-quality pieces with a meaningful story behind them.

Commitment to Giving Back

Another admirable aspect of the Jungalow brand is their commitment to social and environmental causes. A few notable initiatives:

• For every single order placed, Jungalow donates two trees to be planted in deforested areas through Trees for the Future. So far they‘ve planted over 65,000 trees!

• A portion of sales is donated to charities like the ACLU, The Nature Conservancy, and United Farm Workers. Jungalow shares quarterly impact reports detailing exactly how much was given.

• The brand has taken a strong stance against systemic racism, donating to racial justice organizations and using its platform to promote Black-owned businesses. Justina frequently speaks out about the need for more diversity in the design industry.

It‘s clear these values are deeply ingrained in the company culture, not just tacked on for good PR. Jungalow walks the walk and leads by example, inspiring other small businesses to bake activism into their brand DNA.

What Customers Are Saying

Jungalow has earned a cult following of 1.6 million Instagram fans who gush over each new product drop. Whenever the brand reposts a customer photo showing Jungalow items "in the wild," the comments explode with heart eye emojis.

On the Jungalow website, most products earn 5-star reviews. Customers frequently mention the vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and sturdy construction. Here‘s what a few happy shoppers had to say:

"The Soleil Quilt is even more beautiful in person – it‘s like a work of art for your bed. I was nervous ordering such a colorful piece but it makes me smile every time I walk into my bedroom!" – Jenna S.

"I‘ve bought several rugs from Jungalow over the years and they‘ve all been top quality. Yes, they‘re a investment but you can really see and feel the difference. I know these rugs will last a lifetime." – Patrick M.

"My Kaya planter is the perfect home for my fiddle leaf fig. I love that it has a drainage hole and saucer to protect my floors. And it looks so sculptural and modern. Well worth the price!" – Alicia G.

Constructive feedback is harder to find, but a few reviewers wished the printed bedding had a higher thread count. Some large furniture items also have longer than average shipping times since they‘re made to order. But overall, the vast majority of customers seem thrilled with their Jungalow experience.

How to Get the Jungalow Look

Want to infuse a little Jungalow magic into your own space? Here are a few tips to nail the look:

1. Start with a neutral base. White walls and natural wood floors lend a bright, airy feel that lets your decor really pop.

2. Play with pattern. Combine multiple prints in the same color family for an eclectic vibe. Leopard looks surprisingly chic next to florals and stripes!

3. Embrace maximalism. More is more when it comes to Jungalow style. Fill bare corners with plants, books, baskets, and quirky found objects.

4. Go green. Work in as many plants as you can, either real or artificial. Big leafy species like monsteras, palms, and bird of paradise create a jungle-like feel.

5. Have fun with color. There are no rules when it comes to Jungalow‘s palette! Mix pastels with neons, jewel tones with earthy hues. The brighter, the better.

6. Add global elements. Textiles and decor with folkloric patterns instantly transport you to some far-flung locale. A suzani quilt or African mud cloth pillow lends a well-traveled air.

7. Highlight your personality. Above all, Jungalow is about surrounding yourself with things that bring you joy. Hang art that speaks to you, display your quirkiest treasures, let your freak flag fly!

With these guidelines and a few key Jungalow pieces, you‘ll be channeling Justina‘s free-spirited aesthetic in no time.

Comparing Jungalow to Anthropologie

If you‘re a fan of bohemian style, you‘re probably familiar with Anthropologie. The beloved lifestyle retailer shares a similar whimsical, artistic vibe as Jungalow, but there are some key differences between the two:

• Jungalow is much smaller and more niche, with a tightly curated selection. Anthropologie offers a wider variety of products across multiple categories like fashion, beauty, and gifts.

• Jungalow has a singular aesthetic (eclectic/boho), while Anthropologie carries a range of styles from vintage to modern. You won‘t find any minimalist pieces at Jungalow!

• Jungalow works almost exclusively with small artisan groups and independent designers. Anthropologie also partners with global craftspeople but carries more mass-produced goods as well.

• Jungalow‘s price point is slightly higher than Anthropologie, with an emphasis on investment pieces. However, they do run occasional sales of up to 40% off.

• Anthropologie has a huge brick and mortar presence with over 200 stores worldwide. Jungalow is primarily online, with a few select products stocked at retailers like Target and Nordstrom.

Ultimately, both brands deliver on creativity, quality, and Instagram-worthy aesthetics. If you‘re obsessed with plants and color, give Jungalow a try. For a wider range of products and styles, Anthropologie may be more your speed. Or mix and match pieces from both for an eclectic look that‘s all your own!

The Bottom Line

For bohemian home decor bursting with life and personality, you can‘t beat Jungalow. This small but mighty brand brings a fresh perspective to the industry, prioritizing creativity, craftsmanship, and activism. While their products may require a bit of a splurge, you can feel good knowing your money supports ethical labor and eco-friendly practices.

Founder Justina Blakeney has built so much more than an online shop – she‘s created a global community of plant lovers, pattern mixers, and color enthusiasts. One scroll through the #jungalowstyle hashtag proves just how devoted her fans are. Jungalow‘s unique designs spark joy and self-expression, encouraging us all to live a little wilder.

So go ahead, fill your home with vibrant quilts, quirky planters, and statement-making art. As Justina would say, life‘s too short for boring decor!