Starter Style: A Definition
When you moved into your first apartment or purchased your first home, you were probably thrilled about the blank slate you had. When you are starting out, there are so many options, so many possibilities.
But over time, we give in to a trend that fades as soon as we invest in it. We say yes to taking that piece of furniture from a family member that we secretly hate. We buy the cheap version of something so we can have it now, instead of waiting until we can invest in quality. We see something so often, that we stop actually seeing it—so we add something that doesn’t at all fit in next to it. We get busy with kids, work, and life—and one day we realize that home we thought we’d have so beautifully decorated actually… isn’t.
If this is you, don’t despair: I have the answer!
start·er style (noun)
- for someone who is ready to start over—who needs design guidance, is tired of trends, and wants something that will stand the test of time
- a shift in philosophy that helps you avoid trends, bad decisions, and design mistakes
- the style of someone starting out decorating (whether in their first home or starting over)
Who is starter style for?
It’s for anyone I described above—and anyone who wants to develop a strong, timeless sense of style for their home. Whether you are getting ready to outfit your first home or are ready to ditch the mishmash of uncoordinated hand-me-downs and trends well past their expiration date, starter style is what you need.
Defining your style
My husband, David, and I met selling furniture. During our sales training, we were taught all the different styles someone might choose to decorate their home in. Traditional, bohemian, mid-century modern—we were trained in all of it. When a customer came in, we were instructed to ask them about their home style so we could direct them straight toward the furniture that would fit. We had cards full of photos to help them name their style and knew just which pieces would fit with each style.
But nine times out of ten, the customer didn’t answer something that lined up with our style guides. No, typically, they would answer, “Eclectic.”
When you dug a little deeper, got them to answer some more questions, or maybe show you a photo, you realized that their style wasn’t actually eclectic. It was just a bunch of stuff thrown together, without any real thought behind it.
Let me help you
In offering this starter style series, I want to help you understand some basic design principles and elements. I want to help you move from “eclectic” to “quality.” (A quick note: quality doesn’t have to mean spending thousands of dollars. There are many ways to achieve quality on a budget.)
We’re not going for more, but better. Quality over quantity. Thoughtful design over rushing to call it done.
Follow along on the blog as we spend October exploring starter style. For more in-depth content, subscribe to my Substack—I offer my paid subscribers deeper dives into the content we are sharing over here on the blog.
Questions?
What questions do you have for me about starter style? What do you want to know more about this month?
Other posts in the Starter Style Series:
Starter Style: Where to Start · Starter Style: The Formula · Starter Style Q&A · Starter Style: The Pattern Collection · 3 Simple Steps to Make a Room Come Alive · Starter Style Shopping Checklist
