Decor8: From Blog to Book

By Lexi Green
January 10, 2012

Decorate

Among the blogs that top pretty much every design aficionado's list of bookmarked sites is Holly Becker's Decor8. Since 2006, Becker has been captivating a growing cadre of daily readers—now 48,000 strong—with her eclectic, feminine style. Whether she’s telling you about her latest European design discoveries (Holly’s a former Bostonian now living in Germany), compiling a wish list of products or reflecting on the blogging course that she is currently teaching, Becker has a surefire way of drawing readers in.

(left: The cover of Becker's new book, Decorate.)

When she first started Decor8, Becker had just finished a decade-long stint as a corporate project manager in Boston. She was also going to interior design school on the side. The blog was another way to let her creative juices flow. Her first post included the following declaration: “I was born to do this, some people can dance, I can decorate.”

It’s amazing to think that Holly was ever just a mere beginner in the world of design. Now, living in northern Germany with her husband, Holly has become a sought-after design consultant, globetrotting as she teaches workshops and hosts meet-ups near and far.

Holly Becker

Amy Neunsinger's kitchen, as seen in Decorate

Holly recently added the title of best-selling author to her resume with the launch of her interior design book, Decorate: 1000 Design Ideas for Every Room in Your Home. Incorporating 500 gorgeous photographs from the homes of famous names like Kelly Wearstler, Amy Butler and Jonathan Adler, as well as illustrations, checklists and floor plans, Holly weaves together a home-design encyclopedia that isn’t intimidating or unattainable but is nevertheless a thrilling read.

The Inside Source: How has the blog changed since you started it in 2006?

Holly Becker: I don't write eight to 10 times a day as I once did! I'm a bit more balanced. I also enjoy doing other things, such as teaching workshops and hosting meet-ups. For example, I recently taught a gift-wrapping class for an Anthropologie pop-up cafe in Berlin. I love being part of the creative community both online and off, so I try to divide my time.

left: Holly Becker

The Inside Source: What does a typical day in the life of Holly Becker look like?

Holly Becker: I work a lot but, since I get so much pleasure from it, I never feel like I did when I once dragged myself in to my corporate job. I approach work each day with a sense of excitement. "What can I do today that inspires myself and others?” I sleep a bit later than I should, but I also don't go to bed until after midnight because my creative energy comes later in the afternoon and sticks around until 2:00 am or so.

The Inside Source: How do you think living in Germany inspires your design sensibility?

Holly Becker: I often use to wonder how it would feel to live on the other side of the pond in order to experience trends that began in Europe. I love it! Europeans are quite experimental and tend to push the envelope, so it has inspired me quite a lot.

The Inside Source: Now, let's get to your beautiful book! Clearly it is a labor of love.

Holly Becker: It is! I started the book in March 2009 and finished in November 2009. I sent in my final edits from a hotel room in Istanbul during the call to prayer... It was quite a spiritual experience, to say the least!

Holly Becker

Tine Kjeldson's dining room, as seen in Decorate

The Inside Source: How do you feel Decorate is different from other design books?

Holly Becker: The new advice is to just wing designing a room and it will look effortlessly chic. For a designer with a trained eye, that can work because they could do it blindfolded. The average person can’t do that. Decorate is different because it is meant to inspire and encourage but also teach how things can come together. Even effortlessly chic spaces are not at all effortless.

The Inside Source: What are some of your favorite decorating trends featured within the book?

Holly Becker: I was the location scout for the book and I noticed a recurring theme in each space: each homeowner loved collections and displayed them beautifully. I didn't pick up on it when I was scouting. In fact, it was only after I saw all of the photos that I made the connection. All of the homes also had great personality. None of them felt cold or catalogue-y or like a model home.

The Inside Source: Do you have a favorite room that is featured in the book?

Holly Becker: I think the dining room in Tine's home in Denmark was one of my favorite rooms in the book. It was minimalist yet warm from her ethnic and country touches. It was very clean, fresh and tactile. I also loved Amy's kitchen in L.A., which was impressive and quite fun to style! [See images of both books above.]

The Inside Source: What's one design element featured in the book that you are dying to try in your own space?

Holly Becker: I definitely want a fireplace again someday. I loved Rita Konig’s fireplace in her New York apartment. I’ve had one in my home since childhood and only in the past seven years have I lived without one. I miss it so much!

Holly Becker

Rita Konig's fireplace, as seen in Decorate

The Inside Source: Do you use eBay? Whether for work inspiration or for designing your own space?

Holly Becker: Yes, of course! I even had an eBay shop once for a few years starting in 2001 where I sold decorating items for the home! I had a strong network of customers. My husband and I have been shopping eBay for years. We both still shop on eBay, including eBay Germany where I buy vintage things (including great lighting!), books, magazines, etc.