simple beauty.

It seems to me that we put all-kinds-of pressure on ourselves to keep up with all the latest and greatest...
but lately I've been drawn to the beauty in the simple.

Here are a few images that have captured my attention as my infatuation with simplicity grows.

Behold the beauty. of simple.



{via llamas valley}

{via northern light}



{via pinterest}



{via stil inspiration}



{via crush culdesac}

{via pinterest}

{via heylook}




{via afinidades-eletivas}

{fine art photography + eye poetry by Irene Suchocki, via is-theblog and via}

Am I right?

Simply beautiful.

I hope these images bring you a little inspiration too.

xo

patti

let the holiday decorating begin!

* the outdoor twinkly lights are draped + lit.  check.

* the stockings are hung. check.

* the icicle + snowflake ornaments are donning the windows. check.

* it's official.  the holiday adornment has begun!

...just thought I'd share some instagram snaps of the start of holiday happenings at my house.




{pretty transparent ornaments + snowflakes hanging in the window}

{black + white of ornaments in the window}




{little white tree in the foyer. i <3 white Christmases!}

We had a restful + productive weekend. I hope you enjoyed time with family + friends. We shared time with friends, both old + new.

Laughter + connection with those you love is good for the soul.

I look forward to sharing some fun projects soon.
Please check-in + let me know how you are doing. 

{click here to follow me on instagram}

Have a fantastic week! Back to reality!

xo

patti

happy thanksgiving!

I'm sure you're getting ready for Thanksgiving as are we.  Shopping, cleaning, prepping, planning.  Digging out old favorite recipes. 

I wanted to share a couple quick pics as I get my dining room ready.  I decided to add a little earthy element with burlap garland which I wove through my chandelier...and placed under my fall leaf centerpiece...




{burlap draped on chandelier}




{fall leaves = perfect thanksgiving centerpiece}

Enjoy time with family + friends!

Here are a few things I'm thankful for...

* My husband + two beautiful girls

* Memories of laughing together

* Friendships deep + meaningful

* Times to dance + celebrate

* My sweet cuddly pups

* Unconditional love

* Forgiveness

* Fresh starts

* Chances to create

How about you? Have an incredible holiday!

patti

baby + kid room styling

So...I just received final images from the young america "Abigail" catalogue I styled.  These are some of my favorite rooms from the bunch...


{sweet yellow + white baby room featuring ikea stars.}



{colorful baby room featuring hand-painted canvases}




{hand-painted color canvases...a fun & simple decor idea.}



{coral baby room featuring hand-crafted washi tape art}

{hand-crafted washi tape art.}



{fun & colorful kid's room with candy decor}



{decorating with candy. Yum!}

{pretty girl's room with art display}

{All photography above by diana parrish design & photography}

Hope you enjoyed viewing these images.  It was a fun styling gig. I'm thankful for opportunities to create.

Have a fantastic weekend!

xo

patti
 

gold + recycled = pretty + re-purposed

So, I came across these pretty, sleek gold containers via Emily Henderson's open sky board on pinterest. (click links if you want some of these beauties.)

... and immediately I thought of the can of gold spray paint in my garage & the aluminum cans in my recycling bin.  Okay, so they're not quite as luxe, but the price is right (free!).  I decided to spray a wine bottle too...something I've been wanting to try.  And I trimmed a few crepe myrtle branches to spray paint also.  Here are the before and after pics of my quick diy...

{before}

{after}




{gold + candles}

{gold crepe myrtle branches + candlelight. table from z-gallerie}

{magnolias + gold + candles}





I added some magnolia stems (thanks Kelly from bungalow blue for the inspiration.)

{gold pumpkins}

So...what do you think? Any diy projects on your list of to-do's? Can't believe Thanksgiving is right around the corner.

What are your plans?

xo

patti

Novogratz @ the Mint

Saturday's home & garden section of the charlotte observer had a great article about designers Cortney & Robert Novogratz coming to Charlotte's mint museum this Thursday Nov 15, 7-9 pm.  (Admission is only $10; $5 for museum members). 

As much as I immerse myself in design circles, I must admit I wasn't entirely familiar with their work.  So of course I did a mad search on pinterest & around the web to find more of their designs. I struck gold when I did a "novogratz" search at apartment therapy. Here are some of the images that piqued my interest...




{via apartment therapy}

The first few images are of Suzanne Vega's apartment.  Love her!!! ("Tom's Diner" is a regular listen on my i-tunes).  Don't you just love the mix of vintage & modern ... and the colour combo, with pops of turquoise & pink?

{via}



{via}

 Here are more inspiring Novogratz designs ...

{via}

{via}

{via}

{via}



{via casa sugar}

Now, to find the time to watch some reality TV. The Novogratz' show '9 By Design' launched on Bravo in 2009 (featuring the couple & their seven children).  And they are now in their second season of "Home by Novogratz" on HGTV. Must find time(the constant quest, right?)to watch some of their past episodes on-line and get even more inspired.

I'm planning to make it to the Mint Thursday evening.  Looking forward to hearing their take on design.  Turns out the couple actually met in Charlotte, and both say the South has influenced their design aesthetic.

Let me know if you'll be able to make it.  I'd love to sit with other area design fans & take notes together. 

Have an amazing week!


xo


patti

brad pitt + furniture design

Turns out Brad Pitt + I have something in common.  Yep!  We both discovered Frank Lloyd Wright in College.  I was actually surrounded by the amazing architect's handiwork as I attended Florida Southern College.  The campus boasts the largest collection of Wright's work at a single site.

{source}

{Source}

Brad, on the other hand, learned of Frank Lloyd Wright at the University of Missouri... and the seed of inspiration was planted.  Sure Pitt has had a few successes on the silver screen along the way, but his sketchbook of furniture designs has been in the works behind the scenes for quite some time.

Launching in NYC (in less than a week), Brad Pitt's furniture designs are a culmination of his "doodles" turned reality, thanks to his partnership with luxury furniture designer Frank Pollaro, pollaro.com.

Read more of the background story, architectural digest and ny times.

Here's a sneak peek of some of the key pieces in his new line...

{Above images via architectural digest}

Brad Pitt's designs incorporate high-quality materials, sleek + geometric design details similar to the aesthetic qualities of Frank Lloyd Wright's work.  Though I think he adds a little bit of Hollywood swag.

For more info about Frank Lloyd Wright's architecture at Florida Southern College, see architecture.about.com, franklloydwrightatfsc and myfloridahistory or take a photo tour at flsouthern "child of the sun".

Here are a few of my fav FLW images at FSC...

{source}

{Annie Pfeiffer Chapel via dexigner}

{via floridasnapshot}

{via greatbuildings}

Let me know what you think of the new furniture designs by Brad Pitt.  Or, any inspiration you've derived from the fabulous work of Frank Lloyd Wright. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

xo

patti