summer lovin'

I've been blogging over at in-the-gray recently...see here for the latest.

I love being able to share creative inspirations + what I'm lovin' lately. My hope is always to inspire you too...to somehow light a fire or re-kindle a passion...give you a new idea or a fresh look.

Here are a few recent finds that have me motivated...

My artist friend Mandy hooked me up with this inspiring read. And as suspected, I love it! Such great quotes, quips, ideas, inspiration...Seriously, check it out. I promise it will motivate your creative soul.

I found these fun summer sandals on sale at Target...and took advantage of summer sun shadows for a quick instasnap.

I also found this amazing water color + beeswax. I so adore... just had to share.

 ...and what would a summer post be without a beach cruiser? Don't we all just want to be there? (I know I do)...(image via paper social...what is it about Australian bloggers?)

...fell in love with this summer do... just wishing I had my daughter's long hair to pull it off (image via)...



{image via alovelybeing}

 ...and these are my most recent styling + design inspirations. I love the freshness. Of course they all have hints of white + aqua + pink... what's not to love?...



{image via stylebyemilyhenderson}



{image via theeverygirl}

Here's to summer sun, cocktails with friends and fresh new style...

xo


patti

bottle love. colored glass.

It's no secret. I heart colored glass. Collections of it. Especially collections of like-colored glass bottles. 

I came across this striking interior recently and am in love with the style + simplicity...

I so love this collection of vintage amber glass via amerrymishap. Of course, the amazing art, chic furniture pieces + cool architecture don't hurt. 

A great source here in the Charlotte area for one-of-a-kind vintage + artsy finds is bebe gallinis, one of my fave gifty shops in Cornelius (& there are several antique stores in the same area if you're on a specific hunt for vintage bottles).

Another one of my favorite sources for some of my own glass collection is west elm ... like these recycled pretties...

{via west elm}

...Here's an image that I styled using a collection of glass bottles in an outdoor scenario (for more of my coastal styling gigs with stanley furniture and ttw photo, go here...)

...and here are a few instagram snaps from my living room window...



{...on a rainy day...}



{...& on a rare snow day in NC}

...Another beautiful + inspiring shot of glass in the window I found via pinterest (love vintage seltzer bottles)...

...an image of glass + ceramic vessels in the window from a recent location-scouting...

... And an all-time favorite collection of colored glass, via designalicious.typepad--photos-by-johnny-miller...

GORGEOUS! right?

Hope these images bring you a little visual vacation + inspiration.

Happy Weekend!

xo

patti

ps. If you like what you see, please follow me on instagram or twitter or pinterest ... or all of the above. :) Share your thoughts. I adore comments. 

diy: sun prints

I recently styled a photo shoot for Young America, highlighting new additions to their "My Haven" youth bedroom furniture collection. 

I wanted to add some DIY decorative accents to the room scenes to inspire parents + kids to create their own one-of-a-kind decor.

So... to create an inspirational room for a sun-loving teen girl, I started by selecting a color palette of sea blues + greens...then I crafted some sun prints using elements from nature & sun print paper like this Sun Print Kit from Amazon (click here for the link).

Here's the finished result of my sun print crafting + on-set photo styling...

Click here to get your sun print paper to make your own...

{link here to get your Sun Art Paper on Amazon}

I framed the prints in white and added some dimension by incorporating umbra Loft Twig Wall Art purchased at Target (you can find umbra wall flowers here). I also added beachy elements + a surfboard. The walls are painted in benjamin moore Sea Mist Green.

{The completed room...Cool for any surf-lovin' girl.}

{Styled by patti borrelli + photographed by diana parrish photography & design

for young america}

The DIY how-to:

The sun art kit came with easy step-by-step instructions.  My first attempt flopped, but after reading the directions a little more carefully (& listening to my daughter's advice) I went to a "dark room" (my pantry) to place the items on the sun print paper & cover with the acrylic sheet.  I chose natural items like sea-stars, shells, stems & flowers. Then, I placed the paper in the sun for 5 minutes, removed the items & rinsed paper in cold water with a little lemon juice ... & wallah... magic.  The images appeared, crisp & clear.  I love the deep indigo color & the wispy shapes the branches, leaves & flowers create.

Here are some shots of the sun prints in the making...

first attempt failed. images were very faint.

2nd attempt- Success! images sharp & artful.

More detailed steps are posted on the young america blog.

...Here are two more images I found that show even more ways to display your very own DIY sun prints...

{via sweetpaulmag}

{via apartment therapy}

{diy pinterest-BeSoStyle}

Here's to sunshine + more fun DIY projects on the horizon.

xo

patti

random beach inspiration

A snap from the beach...

...and how my beach love translates to interiors...

{Benjamin Moore Caribbean Blue Water

and various white vases from Crate & Barrel,

West Elm & Jonathan Adler}

Have a beautiful day!

patti

going coastal

I just returned from the beach... and dreaming of designing a beach cottage.  Thought it was time for a blog post about creating coastal design at home (even if home isn't actually on the coast).

Incorporating hints of sand + surf in organic elements, like stacked stones, driftwood and coral, creates a fresh, seaside feeling. 
Containers filled with seaglass or seashells, collections of blue & green glass... are all reminiscent of the ocean tides.

Books in shades of marine blue.  Objects in ocean hues. Driftwood like this manzanita...are fresh ways to bring the sea to you.

Capiz shell lighting adds an instant coastal influence and modern edge.  I love (& used) this West Elm capiz chandeleir for a photo shoot with TTW Photo, shot for Stanley Furniture's Coastal Living Resort Collection...

{resource for capiz pendant...west elm}

Natural textures like sea grass and reclaimed wood bring an earthy tone + beachy feel to interior spaces. And white is always right for re-creating the magic of the shore, in varying sandy shades...

Add fresh elements, like sea-oats, palms or natural grasses to create an airy, breezy, beachy vibe.  Or add a pop of sea-inspired colour like aqua or mint...

...Bring a little beach to your living spaces.  Dig out the shells or seaglass you collected on your beach holiday and add a little ocean inspiration to your decor. Or craft a sun-inspired piece of art with sunprints (see my DIY sun-print post here). 

###

{all images above from the Stanley Furniture Coastal Living Resort Collection. stanley furniture
Photography by TTW Photo. Styled by yours truly.}

 

white hot summer!

Aahh! fresh, crisp white.  I love white all year round, but I find it especially cooling & soothing in the heat of summer.  It's been steamy hot here in the Carolinas so I've been reaching for my fave white pieces on a regular basis (like my lace skirt from banana & my white jeans, summer staples).  

I've also been attempting to fine-tune our family beach getaway plans to Charleston.  How come none of the beach cottages I find on-line look like this?

...Ok, I'm going to put it out there to the universe (aka- the blogosphere) ... my dream gig is to decorate beach cottages, condos, homes, villas... any beach is fine.  Anyone need a designer?

Here are more white, summer-inspired images to INSPIRE you too...

A girl can dream, right?  Happy summer!
{images via pinterest}

xo

patti

beach bound

Getting ready for a little get-away with girlfriends.  Destination: Ocean Isle Beach.  Aahh...toes in the sand...drink in hand.  Perhaps a little night-time dancing.  So looking forward to some fun and inspiration. 

I've been slacking on getting this blog up and running.  It's a little intimidating to be real.  So many bloggers have it all together.  I'm just getting my feet wet...so please be patient.  I have some fun ideas for keeping it creative and hopefully inspiring. 

Here's a few images to  bring on the beach...and some summertime cool.

images via pinterest.
http://pinterest.com/prbstyle/beach-love/