Since I can remember, I have loved design. When I was young, I used to draw floor plans for my bedroom and rearrange my furniture to maximize the space and give it a fresh look. When our family would go to Barnes & Noble, I would always head straight for the floor plan magazines. I also aced bubble letters in 4th grade (because that was a thing). I've just always loved style, design, and fashion. I have used my talent in a lot of ways.

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After highschool, I moved to Los Angeles to attend design school at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM). My original plan was to be a wardrobe stylist. I ended up getting a visual communications degree, which was quite broad, but ended up being a perfect fit for my jack of all trades skill set.  While I was getting my degree, I was managing a fast paced salon in the heart of Beverly Hills. 

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The next stop on my journey was Chicago where I worked in the couture bridal industry. Attending runways in New York, assisting the owner in buying merchandise, and producing runway shows were among my favorite aspects of my time there.

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Ultimately I landed back in my hometown of Grand Rapids, MI. As far as settling down and growing a family, you really can't beat it. The challenge I faced in coming home was what to do with my design talent in a city which at the time, wasn't on the cutting edge of the design industry. While working as a project manager for a local wellbeing company, I launched my own line of handmade accessories - Kate DeKoster Handmade. Once kids came in the picture, I set that love aside to focus on being a momma.

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The next destination on my career path was in communications. Since being in the communications world, I have won several national awards for my design and communication capabilities. I lost one award to the NFL - which really felt more like a win. Education runs in my blood and while teaching wasn't my calling, I am very passionate about educating through effective communications.

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Remember how I used to look at floor plan magazines for fun? Well, that passion came full circle when I was able to design our family's custom home from the ground up. With a lot of thought and precision, I designed our home to be a space we can move comfortably in and love looking at every day. 

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So, here I am. I love creating. I love designing. I love communicating. Rather than limit myself to just one thing I love, I have decided to do it all! Thank you for taking time to read about my journey and explore my work!