Learn more about Hazy Sunshine and their retro-inspired outdoor décor, perfect for entertaining poolside.
Social media is the launch pad for many things these days, and in the case of Julianna (Jules) Berg and Alexandra (Alex) Hardin-Gonzalez it’s responsible for helping to blossom a design-minded friendship and business. Hazy Sunshine, a bespoke outdoor living décor brand they created together, offers high-quality items reminiscent of the past but with new materials that will stand the test of time. The patterns and colors lean funky, vintage, retro and unique, with many of them inspired by archived designs.
“We were both members of a Mid Century Modern Facebook group that I was an admin for. I saw what she was doing and I instantly fell in love,” Alex says. “We started talking and a friendship bloomed over the course of about a year. We had a great time bouncing ideas off of each other—we believe the universe definitely brought us together. I have relocated to the cornfields of Iowa and am having the best time building our business!”
Jules came from a family of makers. “I think I learned to sew when I was about 7 or 8 from my aunt who owned this incredible costume shop with thousands of costumes,” she says. Once Jules’ kids arrived, her interest in sewing was reignited. She started making blankets and other simple items, but her work soon morphed into apparel and then finally outdoor accents.
Working Together
Though Jules had always loved Mid Century Modern style, a beautiful sewing cabinet she found and fell in love with solidified her mod aesthetic and ultimately connected her to Alex. “We both have very different styles, but they somehow work together to create magic,” Alex says. “Our favorite part is always research and development and digging through different patterns with new ideas in mind. We are constantly creating; we are definitely not short on concepts. We embrace each other’s wild ideas, which I think is a huge part of working together creatively, and our individual skill sets match perfectly to create a solid team.”
We think some of the best—and most innovative—examples of the brand are the double-sided Retrorevolve cushions. “These are amazing, and nobody else is doing anything like them at the moment,” Alex says. “Customers can mix and match or have two matching sets depending on what side of the cushion they use.” Jules has a hard time picking out her favorite item from the brand. “It’s like having to choose a favorite child,” she says. Which makes sense, since she has named all her umbrellas after her children: Iris, June and Mabel.
Working within the Mid Century Modern space speaks to Alex’s aesthetic—and soul—in many ways. “I love how versatile MCM furniture and décor is,” she says. “The thrill of finding new pieces and designers, the patterns are super warm and inviting, and the wood tones take you back in time. My first experience with MCM was at my abuela’s house, which was heavily designed in the MCM vibe, including a sunken living room, which I adored. I definitely think that has something to do with my affinity for MCM. It’s also next to impossible to find quality and affordable furniture pieces as of late. They just don’t make them like they used to!”
Learn more about Hazy Sunshine in our extended conversation with them here. If you live in a climate where you can enjoy your outdoor space year-round, read on for more MCM outdoor inspiration with Furniture & Accessories to Refresh your Mid Mod Patio.
If your backyard is buried under snow, it’s never too early to start garden and landscape planning. Find pro tips from a landscape architect on how you can achieve an MCM landscape without living in Palm Springs. And of course, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube for more Atomic Ranch articles, house tours, and ideas!
