If you follow us on Instagram or Facebook you know that this coming Black Friday we will be hosting the launch party for our online boutique, Leslie Tyler Home Store! We are thrilled to have curated such a talented group of women <— completely unintentional but a happy “girls rock” moment nonetheless. The more we’ve shared the stories behind our goods the more questions we received asking what exactly it is that we are offering. A valid question and one that I will happily give context to and hopefully provide a perspective that you may adopt in your own home.

Our design esthetic could be described as a number of genres however, we often times use the phrase “modern traditionalist”. Although we did not originate this term we feel that it reduces our theory around design in the most simplistic form. We enjoy living and designing in a very modern and contemporary way. We love the “new” trends and get just as excited about the rise of leopard print as everyone on Pinterest. However, our foundation of design will always be in the “traditional” lines, forms, and moods. Call us nostalgic but seeing, being, and feeling an era that has came before somehow grants us a context of where we are, and what we may leave to future generations.

Merging these two in a harmonious symphony takes some risks and ingenuity, but within this place we find our design. On may say “ok, got it, you like old stuff and you like new stuff, sounds like a Gemini who can’t make up their mind”. To that I say “craftsmanship”. Above all, in either genres, craftsmanship and artistry is the value we place on anything that we do. Honoring and valuing the work of an artisan is the only way to ensure that artistry continues and is retained for generations to come.

“Start from a place deeply rooted in the value of people and their stories”

The curiosity of discovering a trinket that was played with in the sixties or an old dresser that was built in a humble workshop in 1908 gives depth to you space that exceeds that of a numerical value. Much like the written language gives context to our history and our future, living with these artifacts and truly valuing them ← not just because it is on trend to be “rustic”, gives you a space that is uniquely your own. 

So what does this have to do with LT Home Store? Everything! We embody a collection of new and old, but always design and creation built upon intention. From one of a kind moroccan rugs, hand selected in person by Jamillah, or wallpaper that was designed by local illustrator, Kayla, and printed to order by a locally owned print shop. When you purchase goods from LT Home Store you know that you are purchasing a story and will receive in return, become part of its legacy.

We celebrate the unique individual or brand behind what you are purchasing. So many times I have gone into a big box retail store and picked up a hand towel or bowl and have no idea who it was crafted by. Where did they come from? How long did it take to make? Our goal at LT Home Store is to change that narrative. Instead of solely utilitarian purpose, it is time that we acknowledge are home goods as the works of art that they are.

We ask that you help us redefine what we value in the industry filled with mass produced goods filling our shelves. 

Look for opportunities to support your local artisans.

Get to know your local art community. Visit art galleries, attend art shows, patron the local community theatre. By putting dollars into these communities we ensure that their economic future is secure. 

Ask Who? Where? How?

I tend to stick to a general rule. I try to select pieces for my home that I can answer at least one of these questions surrounding its origin. Preferably all three. Try out this test the next time you're looking for a lamp or a rug. Who made it? Where was it made? How long did it take to make?

Repair vs. Replace

Make an effort to repair what is broken instead of replacing. Refurbish or reupholster if your current design just won’t work please try to refrain from painting wood, especially if it wasn’t painted originally. Added bonus is natural wood adds a depth to your design. Trust me, it will make your space look lux with the right accessories.