Show Notes: Getting Your Ducks in a Row
Old School with Michele Vrabel featuring Whitney English
In this episode of Old School with Michele Vrabel, Michele sits down with Whitney English, author of Organize First, Decorate Second, to discuss her journey from entrepreneurship to writing, her creative process, and the inspiration behind her book. Whitney shares how her love for home and design led to a book about organizing with a maximalist approach, emphasizing stewardship, creativity, and meaningful relationships. The conversation dives into their shared Enneagram experiences, the challenges of parenting, and the spiritual lessons learned through life’s tensions, including Whitney’s insights on editing spaces and relationships for a more intentional home life.
Key Topics Discussed
Whitney’s background as an entrepreneur and her transition to writing Organize First, Decorate Second
The role of creativity and maximalism in home organization and design
The importance of editing spaces to create a functional and meaningful home
The connection between mental wellness, clutter, and spiritual health
Whitney’s reflections on her Enneagram journey, exploring whether she’s a Four, Seven, or Three
The value of stewardship, resourcefulness, and repairing rather than replacing items
Navigating parenting challenges, including a story about addressing her daughter’s messy room with grace
The spiritual principle of doing the right thing the right way, prioritizing relationships over outcomes
Guest Bio
Whitney English is an interior designer, entrepreneur, and author of Organize First, Decorate Second. A mother of three, Whitney brings her passion for home, creativity, and stewardship to her work, encouraging others to create intentional, beautiful spaces that reflect their values. With a background in textiles and design, she advocates for a maximalist approach to organization that balances personal expression with functionality.
Episode Highlights
Whitney shares how her childhood imagination of a “safe house” shaped her love for home and design.
Michele and Whitney bond over their shared Enneagram Seven traits and discuss whether Whitney might be a Four, driven by creative expression.
Whitney explains the origin of her book’s title, Organize First, Decorate Second, born from a personal mantra to tackle cleaning before decorating.
The conversation explores the concept of “editing” spaces, inspired by Whitney’s mother leaving “edit, edit, edit” notes in her apartment.
Whitney shares her “nugget” of wisdom: “Take care of the customer, and the commission will take care of itself,” emphasizing doing the right thing with love.
Resources Mentioned
Organize First, Decorate Second by Whitney English (releasing April 29, 2025)
Decluttering at the Speed of Life by Dana K. White (referenced as Jesus Doesn’t Care About Your Messy House)
George Carlin’s skit on “stuff” (recommended for humor)
Joshua Becker’s minimalism books and podcast
Enneagram resources, including Ian Cron’s work
Isabell Ladd’s maximalist design work (mentioned for inspiration)
Keywords
Maximalism
Organization
Home design
Stewardship
Creativity
Enneagram
Parenting
Mental wellness
Clutter
Spiritual growth
Editing spaces
Relationships
Chapters
00:00 - 03:06 Michele and Whitney Discuss Shared Connections and Enneagram Sevens
03:06 - 06:47 Whitney’s Journey: From Entrepreneurship to Writing
06:47 - 11:55 Exploring Enneagram Identity and Creative Expression
11:55 - 17:38 The Inspiration Behind Organize First, Decorate Second and Maximalism
17:38 - 24:01 Comparing Maximalism and Minimalism: Shared Values of Stewardship
24:01 - 31:48 Parenting, Clutter, and the Power of Apology
31:48 - 39:14 The Art of Editing Spaces and Whitney’s Organizing Tips
39:14 - 46:48 Whitney’s Nugget of Wisdom and Where to Find Her Work
Connect with Whitney:
IG: @whitneyenglish
