GUIDING
VALUES
These are the philosophies that drive this work and guide the process at every step. They are statements that are not simply beliefs but have proven themselves to be true in my own lived experience. They are “The Why” and the reasoning behind why this process is unique in its service to others and to ourselves.
1. Everyone, regardless of income, budget, or housing type, deserves a home that makes them feel happy, successful, and at peace.
Renters, home-owners, nomads, low-income, medium-income, students, young adults, senior citizens, single parents, folks with three jobs, folks with one demanding job, folks with no jobs, disabled folks, scared folks, awkward folks, messy folks, people grieving, people transitioning, people breaking up or divorcing, people with pets who rule the house, people with kids who rule the house —- all people deserve to live in a home which makes them feel like they are safe, like they are unique, and like they are doing a good job. No one should be afraid to invite people over.; No one should feel negatively impacted by the state of the home; No one should feel like they’re failing at life because of the space they’re in, and no one - I repeat - no one should have settle for whatever is cheapest or easiest to order on Amazon).
2. A person’s living space can either positively or negatively influence their wellbeing, productivity, confidence, relationships, and outlook.
This is a big one. This is why this is so important. Your home can truly be the difference between feeling like a failure and feeling like a success; feeling like an imposter or feeling authentic; feeling calm and grounded or feeling overwhelmed; feeling boring or feeling interesting…you get it. If you’re here I probably don’t even need to tell you. I just want you to understand that I get it. I’ve lived it, I know how it feels to be unrooted by your own things, your own space. Sometimes you can’t even articulate it, but if you know, you know.
The good news is this: investing in changing it is WORTH. IT. It’s the most “worth it” you’ll ever know. It brings peace, it brings energy, it brings connection with others, it brings solace to yourself, and it brings mental and emotional safety.
3. Totally transforming a home for the better can be done in an affordable way and with simple fixes
Not much to explain there. First of all, many issues in your space are likely the result of a habit or a circumstance that needs to be changed. Or some simple re-arranging. Or lighting! Blessed, blessed lighting. Through the magic of shopping secondhand, DIY, and some creative re-imagining of what you already have, any elements we need to introduce can be found in a way that will save you boatloads of dollars. Like, so many dollars. (P.S. you will not believe the kinds of designer furniture you can find for stupid cheap out there)
4. The best transformations happen over time through intention, resourcefulness, and patience.
Resourceful people know how to find the work-arounds and be patient for the right moment. We know that hard work pays off, and that sometimes you have to try a few different things out before the right one lands. Maybe not all the furniture gets replaced right away. Maybe we can only work room by room.
Instead of seeing budget and bandwidth as limitations, I challenge you to see them as built-in guardrails that will keep us focused on just a few priorities at a time, leaning into the magic of watching a transformation unfold slowly over time. Another way of looking at it: instead of getting the major dopamine hit of a major unveiling of a new space, you get to feel that same rush of joy over, and over, and over, every time we get to check a box off our list. AND you get the benefit of knowing each accomplishment was done through creative problem solving and careful hunting.
5. It is empowering for a person to be involved in the process hands-on as the ultimate driver & executor of their home’s transformation
While it might seem easier if someone else could just do it all for you, I promise you the biggest reward is in knowing you not only played a huge part in the work - but your decisions drove it and you executed much of the work yourself. Depending on what services you opt for, I’ll definitely help with the heavy lifting at first, but Pipit is designed to get you started, see some major impact, and then see you off the carry through the rest on your own (I can stick around as your guide on the side for as long as you like, though.) If that sounds like a drag, trust me - it will feel amazing once we get going and I wouldn’t be able to stop you if I tried.
6. A living space should reflect a person’s unique personality and what brings them joy, ultimately leading to validation and a feeling of ownership.
First of all, in the era of consumption we are inundated with what other people tell us looks good. We trust movies, social media influencers, and designers on Pinterest or television shows (or Target, for that matter) to tell us what our homes should look like. Don’t fall for it! You have your own unique taste, and if you don’t already know it we will hunt it down and articulate it. Similarly, no two people are the same, so no two homes should be the same! What my house looks like is not what I want your home to look like.
Finally, I believe that our personalities and personal stories should be told through our homes, so that we recognize ourselves authentically when we are in them. Memories, mementos, artifacts, stories, heirlooms, and all the things that are special to you should be incorporated into the design when possible - or at least the design should bring out the same feeling of comfort.
7. Creating & curating your space is a creative process which can be enjoyed and embraced, leading to catharsis instead of overwhelm or stress.
Full stop. And don’t for a second think that you’re not creative enough to do this. Everyone has the ability to curate their home in a way that feels exciting and honest to who you are. For some people, work like this seems like their worst nightmare, but this particular process takes away a lot of what usually contributes to the drag and kind of remixes it in a way that shows you how fun investing in yourself can be.