How We Live Home Tour: Starr Howard
A self proclaimed Southern Hippie, Starr Howard is well on her way to mogul status. Her company, Howard Companies, LLC cranks out engaging content like her podcast, In My Opinion with Starr Howard and a digital magazine. I consider Starr one of my day ones, she's been a loyal Reflektion Design customer from the beginning and I appreciate her a ton!
Take a look at her Oakland, CA home and get inspired. P.S. See if you can spot some RD pieces in her home!
Tell readers a little about yourself and where you live: I’m Starr Howard, from Houston, TX, and I’m currently living in {West} Oakland, CA for the last three years. I love Oakland. I rent an old Victorian home that was converted into a 4 bedroom, 2 bath, duplex right in the middle of the city, where the railway train blares in the background and is sometimes accompanied with the sound of Amtrak.
How would you describe your decor style in three words and who or what influenced that style? Modern Southern Hippie. My environment and upbringing definitely influence my style and my mom was a huge influence. My mother had a passion for decorating and style. As a single mother, she didn’t have a lot of money, but it never felt like it. She was constantly changing our space around and beautifying our home with what we had and it was ALWAYS spotless. I mean, pillows fluffed and vacuum lines in the carpet.
In the south it was always about family and cookouts and guests, and I decorate my home in that same spirit. I love to create a place that’s welcoming to friends and family. Living in California, the culture is casual and laid back. I’ve infused my style with the charm and hospitality from the South with the bohemian vibes and Hippie spirit of California.
Do you have keepsakes or family heirlooms incorporated into your home decor? Unfortunately, I do not have any family heirlooms. As a result, I’m a little more intentional about the pieces I add to my home in an effort to create my own heirlooms to one day pass down to my children.
One of the pieces I love is this hand carved wooden cane I purchased while in Haiti, on a mission trip. I’m looking forward to the day I’m able to travel back to add to my collection. The Haiti pieces always take me back to my time there, the beautiful people, and the connection will all have across the Diaspora.
Why was it important for you to incorporate African decor into your home? What types do you have? I want to see “me” when I walk around my home. As a Black person in America, my history and culture was taken from me and extreme efforts were taken to show Africa as a country without beauty, and substance, and value.
As I got older and started to get to know all of me and who I am, I started to see the beauty in the Diaspora. As a result, I added more African pieces into my wardrobe and my home. I have custom mud-cloth pillows and dinner napkins from Reflektion Design, a Juju hat, some wood pieces from Haiti, art pieces, baskets, and masks. I’m constantly adding pieces, and have lately been procuring artwork by Black artists.
For those that are hesitant to incorporate African decor into their space or don’t know where to start, what's one piece of advice you’d give them? I would advise them to start small. Tableware (salad servers, spoons or serving trays for example) are an easy transition but doesn’t feel overwhelming. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s authentic to appreciate it’s true value.
At Reflektion Design our mantra is, See Yourself at Home. How does your home reflect who you are? It's unfinished! Lol Seriously, my home is a work in progress and always evolving, but I always aim to curate a space that is warm, inviting and approachable, without being ostentatious. My home is simple yet has a great personality.
Where can we find you online? You can find me online at www.iamstarrhoward.org and on social media @iamstarrhoward.
Looking for items to bring more of you into your home checkout the shop: www.reflektiondesign.com
I ABSOLUTELY love Starr’s style. It is so stylish, artistic, sophisticated yet warm and inviting. Every piece looks and feels intentional. As a therapist, i know our physical space is a reflection of our inner space.
The square footage is not the emphasis here, it is what you do with it. When we are intentional about our space, (as Starr said she wants her home to feel warm, inviting and approachable.) our guests feel it.
I also like how she said her space is always evolving, this speaks to one’s flow with nature…being in alignment…allowing instead of trying to control. This way of life, attracts your desires to you as easily as you manifest material items and opportunities.
Well done indeed.
Excellent read on this stylish lady! I could tell she carefully selects items that blend with her home’s aesthetic. Love her hat wall