Talk Shop: Jennifer Hunt // Dogwood hill
ABOUT JENNIFER
Jennifer Hunt founded her company, Dogwood Hill, in 2014. Hailing from northwest Alabama, she graduated with a Master of Accountancy from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa and moved to Birmingham in 1999. She led successful careers first as a Certified Public Accountant and then as an art gallery owner. One year when she waited a bit too long to order her holiday cards, she found a gap in the market. Like many busy women before her, Jennifer found that booking an artist to create the hand-crafted cards she wanted was not a possibility. No one was delivering online customizable calligraphy and art-driven holiday stationery, and that’s where her idea for a website where discerning customers could go for hand-made cards that were thoughtfully and gorgeously created featuring art by real artists. No need for pricey design fees, lengthy production times, or settling for the mass-produced. And so, Dogwood Hill—a reflection of her hometown—was born to represent of all the ways our products can be enjoyed, from weddings and holiday cards to beautiful paper goods that will keep you organized.
The company’s collective of 30 artists (and growing) and its team of in-house graphic designers bring the art to life through thoughtful and unique product design. Dogwood Hill is expanding and collaborating all the time, and AO was thrilled when she was able to create a collection for all of your papergood needs! We loved sitting down with Jennifer, and hope you enjoy our latest installment of our Talk Shop series!
Describe your style in three words or less:
Relaxed, tailored, timeless
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
My mother who taught me that you can have a well-appointed home that can also feel very livable, cozy, and welcoming. My mother-in-law who has demonstrated the satisfaction of waiting for the perfect piece for a room rather than buying on impulse. Also, painting your walls white and letting the décor create all the interest. My collection of coffee table books about art, photography, travel, fashion, and interior design has been a great resource over the years. I prefer holding a book over looking at a digital image and find that I can absorb the content better that way. Plus, they look beautiful in your home!
How did you start your company, and/or what is your favorite thing about what you do:
As most entrepreneurial stories go, I couldn’t find the type of Christmas card I was searching for online in 2014, so I spent a good part of 2015 figuring out how to offer it and launched the company in October 2015 with our first Holiday collection. We are about to head into our 8th holiday season, and I still love living in Holiday design for most of each year! For each of our collections, we commission the artwork from our artists and then our in-house design team creates all the cards and other products with the artwork. It takes us most of the year to prep our Holiday Collection, but it is so fun to see how the original art ideas transform into the beautiful products that our customers get to use and enjoy.
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
Watching my dad enjoy a long, successful career before he recently retired - giving it his all while also being a fully engaged family man - has been a huge influence. We’ve often laughed about his answer to a question on a high school reunion form many years ago: What is your hobby? His answer: Work. I love to work just like he did; it must be in the genes. I hope the same holds true for my boys.
What does your home say about you:
A little eclectic in style, but always welcoming and comfortable.
Where do you find inspiration:
Travel, art, books, movies, Instagram
Who are your style icons:
Jackie Kennedy, Audrey Hepburn, Jennifer Aniston
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
Beautiful linens, pretty plates and glasses, flowers, music, and a no-stress hostess!
Do you collect anything:
First edition books from favorite authors, art, Christmas ornaments from travels, tableware, etched glasses
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
It’s hard to pick just a few Instagram accounts that I’m inspired by – there are truly so many! We pull from a lot of beautiful accounts that I love for our inspo images for Dogwood Hill’s Instagram feed. I also love to follow our artists as well as the Tastemakers we’ve worked with over the years. They are some of the most creative people I know!
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
I’m not sure I know all the design rules to follow them! I’m more of an “if I like it, I go with it” kind of person.
What are you working on right now:
We are finishing up designing our 2022 Holiday Collection, which will be released on September 15 on our site. We have six new Holiday Tastemakers we will announce in September as well. Our Tastemaker collections are always fan favorites and they are such fun partnerships. Last year Ariel was one of our Tastemakers and her beautiful collection was a huge hit!
Wardrobe staples:
Summer: flowy dresses for surviving the Southern heat. Winter: Blazers and tailored jeans
Best interior advice you ever received:
One of my college friends happens to be one of my favorite interior designers – Fran Kennan. She says the best homes should be layered, reflect your personality, and feel comfortable while being beautiful. I couldn’t agree more!
Best career advice you ever received:
“Negativity is noise.” Tory Burch heard this from her parents, and she often passes the advice along to other entrepreneurs. She says that it’s important to believe in yourself and what you’re doing and to remember that if the most unique ideas were obvious to everyone, there wouldn’t be entrepreneurs.
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
I will always save on a tv or an electronic item! Rugs, art, beautiful fabric (which I often use for recovering) or that special wallpaper are worth the investment. I strongly believe in the idea of “High and Low” pieces – mix and match the higher priced with the lower priced for the perfect balance.
Your greatest extravagance:
I’m not sure I would categorize anything I have as extravagant! Most of the items in our home have been inherited pieces that we have recovered, re-stained or repurposed. But where I save in some areas, I enjoy spending on travel and experiences. Making memories with my family are worth every penny.
Favorite places to shop for home:
Mostly local shops, including antique and vintage shops.
Most prized possession and why:
Letters from my husband while we were dating. He has always had a knack for writing, and he sent me the best letters back before we had dozens of other ways to quickly communicate.
Your interiors motto:
Make it beautiful, but comfortable.
Your life motto:
Be prepared, but don’t stress.
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
Lean into what makes you feel relaxed and comfortable in your home. Buy the art or the trinket or the piece that makes you happy. You will find a place for it – everything doesn’t have to be so perfectly coordinated.
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food: Peruvian
Drink: Alcoholic: French 75; Non-Alcoholic: Sweet Tea + Lemonade
Film: I love movies, so there are too many! John Hughes films from the 1980s always make me happy though.
Hotel: We rarely go back to the same hotel – too many places to see! We are devoted Marriott Bonvoy members, so typically Ritz Carlton and St. Regis hotels are our indulgence.
City: East Coast: Charleston. West Coast: San Francisco. International: Paris
Bedding: Ralph Lauren Organic Cotton Sateen Sheeting
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): Coffee with Hazelnut Coffee-mate
Playlist: Stations on Pandora – 1980s Love Songs; Counting Crows, Adele, Mumford & Sons
Weekend Activity: With two boys, most weekend activities involve sports. I never knew how much I would love soccer, ha!
Design Book: Several of our Dogwood Hill Tastemakers have stunning design books. I love them all!