Is it possible to build a site with a page-builder plugin and no theme?

Getting back into WP after a year or so of running an old site with WooCommerce and a few other plugins… so I’m a little rusty.

I enjoy the robust features of WP but I’m having trouble figuring out how to trim it down for a portfolio project.

I hate to make a “find my theme for me” post, but this Avenue template from Squarespace is precisely what I want to reproduce in WP. (Sorry if it’s taboo to mention the competition in here, but I figure it can be overlooked since I’m wanting to stay with WP in the long-run!)

I’ve been testing themes and plugins for two hours now and am at my wit’s end. I don’t know enough css/php to create a site from scratch, but it seems that every single theme is dressed with sidebars/footers/galleries/calendars/archives and other blog-oriented accessories – many of which I can’t figure out how to disable. I’ve even tried to mix page-builders with basic themes like Twenty-Twelve, but still can’t get rid of the darn blog widgets. I don’t want anything but a home-page gallery linking to specific pages (not posts!), a header menu with a logo, and a small copyright footer.

As crazy as I may be for wanting to do so, how can I get a full width template with just the basics? Do I have to install a theme (can’t figure out how not to) or is there a way to build a complete site using a basic template and page builder plugin?

Thanks so much for any help 🙂