creative inspirations

Inspiration {for creativity} is everywhere.

movie sets + fashions
hip cafés
a plant on a window sill
the petals of a flower
street art
new insight from a real friend
a pink sky
holding your daughter's hand (no matter her age)
a photograph or piece of art that connects with your soul

*****

Sometimes we just need to remind ourselves to look around, experience the moment, and see the art in the every day. I just came across an Andy Warhol quote I love, "There is beauty in everything, just not everybody sees it."

Be the one who sees it.

*****

Here are a few things that have inspired me recently ...

* A fresh snowfall in NC (+ this photo of my back-porch by my daughter)

* Cool cafés + Plant obsessions 
(Currently obsessed with plants + coffee cafés, like this one in Charlotte's Atherton Mill & Market.
Do share any must-see sweet spots you've discovered.)

{found this one via ig, Trade & Lore, Charlotte, NC}

{photo via SF girl by bay}

* Simple chic Black + White style
(read my recent blog post here)

* Re-discovering inspiration {like these amazing images from an ELLE magazine spread featuring Julia Roberts - Eat, Pray, Love}. The old issue is sitting on the top of a heap of favorite magazines on a bookshelf in my home office {which btw is currently a catastrophe). Though life is messy, having beautiful inspiration at close hand reminds us of our need to create {and our need to eat, pray & love.}

*****

What is inspiring you lately?
Leave a comment so I know you stopped by ...
and be sure to follow along on instagram, it's where I hang out most to connect with other creative types.

xo,


patti

white geraniums + back porches

I don't know about you, but I am a lover of all things summer.

sandals + sunnies. warmth. beach trips. cool drinks. poolside.
+ making memories with friends + family.

I have been breathing a little easier after a rush of Spring HP Market design work and photo styling gigs ... but I wanted to take a few moments to blog about my current inspirations + finds.

My recent mission accomplished: getting the porch put back together again. We sprayed off the piles of pollen and washed down the furniture; pulled out the stowed-away cushions and planted a few white geraniums. AAaahh. I love the calming effect of white-on-white + breezy spring days + nights on the back porch ...

{outdoor pillow from World Market}

I love fresh outdoor living spaces (see my outdoor décor pinboard here.)

... 

A yummy recent find: a genuinely real simple recipe via Real Simple ... A refeshing dessert, "easy rice pudding," made with rice, natural vanilla ice-cream (i love breyers) and cinnamon.

{image via Real Simple.}

So very delish. promise.  

...

A source of inspiration: attending the book signing of the Nester's newly published book @ Bebe Gallini's (that's where I found the fun sunnies too). Link over to Myquillyn's blog for constant aesthetic and life inspiration and to find out where to buy her book ~ The Nesting Place (it's full of real + inspiring images + stories + how-to's...)

{journal is from greenroomeco, found at target}

...

A fab find: the perfect summer sandals. My first official Rachel Zoe purchase (a TJ Maxx find). Have you ever watched the Rachel Zoe Project on Bravo? She is such a style icon + fun to watch. Here's a snap of the sandals on a sunny day with a new fave shade on my toes, taupleless beach by opi (part of their Brazil collection) ...

Hope ya'll are well. Thanks for checking in.
Let me know what is inspiring you lately.

xo

patti

purpose statements + styling ideas

I've been thinking about my purpose for this blog and what I hope it inspires for my readers. When I initially came up with the concept of BeSoStyle (named in honor of my daughters Bela & Sofi, the next generation of Sisters of Style), I had been a blog reader for a while. I thought that as a photo stylist I might just have a unique voice in this big world of design bloggers.  I still feel like a dabbler at this point, still trying to get my head around how in fact to make it a business. I am so open to direction, suggestions, advice (Feel free to contact me and guide away).

Thanks to the successful + inspirational blogger the nester I decided to develop a purpose statement. See this link for her advice on developing a blog purpose.

As I was developing my purpose statement I realized what I haven't done enough of ... and that is share design ideas I've learned or had the gift of being able to execute as a stylist. Here are some of my thoughts on creating fresh design (by showing you some of my favorite images I've styled through the years)...

{Photographed by Kenton Robertson. Styled by Patti Borrelli for Belle Meade Signature.}

I love, love luxe, light neutral shag rugs. They always add instant luxury, texture and warmth. I'm also a fan of collections of shapes like the hint you see in the mirrored headboard. And I adore neutral, natural, textured linens like my favorite, this pintuck duvet from west elm. Plus, pink, always = pretty.

This is the real-life use of my fave duvet in my guest room...

...and more styling images that show how a richly textured neutral rug works perfectly for creating a fresh space. 


{Photography by Kenton Robertson. Styled by Patti Borrelli for Harden Furniture.}

{Photography by Kenton Robertson. Styled by Patti Borrelli for Harden Furniture.}

 Also, notice how an oversized frame becomes art, and how the collection of shapes + hints of nature add visual interest.

(...here are those same fabulous jonathan adler vases on my fall mantel last year...)

{Photographed by Kenton Robertson. Styled by Patti Borrelli for Belle Meade Signature.}

Layers of Art always work.   You can create your own art with a little creativity. See a few of my diy art ideas here.

White or neutral draperies, especially natural sheers are a go-to in styling (One of my favorite resources for beautiful Belgian linens is Restoration Hardware.) Here, sheers work as a luminous room divider to create a workspace (click here for more b+w chic images)

 ...and create a perfect neutral backdrop for this coastal-inspired dining room (more on coastal styling here)...

{The two images above were styled by me for Stanley Furniture. Photography by TTW Photo.}

... just a few design thoughts to hopefully inspire.

As for my blog purpose ... here's what I came up with...

Purpose Statement:

{For readers-}

The aim of BeSoStyle is to create a source of inspiration for design + style-minded readers.  Through fresh images + styling hints, I hope to motivate readers to style something a little differently in their home, do a simple DIY project or put together an outfit in a fresh way.  Small changes that build confidence + creative satisfaction. 

My signature style incorporates natural elements to create an organic feel.  I’d like to inspire others to bring instant beauty to their homes by borrowing from nature, adding natural textures + shapes.

{For me-}

BeSoStyle is my field of dreams. A place I get to share my inspirations-of-the-day. Inspirations for interiors + fashion.  And a place I share a “behind-the-scenes” look at my styling gigs, from the concept phase...through prop shopping, DIY creation, set decorating and completion of a photo shoot or visual display project.

My ultimate purpose for the blog is to make it profitable…which will allow me to better balance family, home and career.

I welcome your feedback and thoughts. Wishing you a wonderful week!

xo

patti

coral crush + etsy love

So...I have big news!
My sister (twin) in real life and in styling just opened up a little etsy shop of her very own. 

As you may have gathered from previous posts, I am a huge fan of etsy, and often use it as a resource for styling gigs. I adore the handmade, unique quality of etsy finds.

My sister Pam {pamstasneystyle} is an experienced set decorator + stylist and has curated quite the collection of beautiful, artful items. Style Studios showcases props she's used on film sets and discovered on her travels + prop-shopping adventures.

Feel free to re-pin my pin which links directly to her shop...or just go straight there...

Seriously, check it out. There are some amazing finds at Style Studios. Use coupon code BESOFRIEND to get $5 off your purchase through the weekend.

In addition to announcing the new shop, I also wanted to share a few images of inspiration. My current colour crush is coral, that delicious mix of pink + orange. So fresh + inviting. Take a peek at some of these inspiring hints of coral-from blush to bold...

{image via ingerstedt-elle deco Sweden}

{image via crushculdesac}

{image via slimpaley. artist tina steele lindsey.}



{image via biicok}

{image via harpersbazaar}



{image via visual optimism-elle denmark}



You may also enjoy these coral-inspired posts from the past: ombre obsession, garden party dreams and sunsets + style.

Life is complicated.  Enjoy the beautiful moments in-between the chaos.

xo

patti

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

hide-and-seek

...or should I say seeking hides?  I'm always inspired by layers of natural textures. And lately my obsession is with cowhides, sheepskins and the like. If you live in Charlotte, NC or close-by, I'll let you in on a deal... Post & Gray is offering 10% off rugs this weekend, including some very savvy hides.

I also wanted to share a recent accomplishment. I was able to check a task off my long list of to-do's. woohoo! It was even a New Year's resolution...Having 2 chairs re-upholstered. I found the fabric for a song at Post & Gray and thankfully had a friend with connections. Here's a quick before + after...

 

What do you think?  I know, I know the rug has got to go.  It's driving us crazy too... but one step at a time.  I love the TEXTURE of my "new" chairs. Notice the animal influences? 

fyi: these chairs were from overstock.com, like years ago for cheap, but they look super chic now, don't they?

...SO...with hides on the mind...

Here are a few images I've come across recently that inspire my love for layers, texture and all things luxe + natural...

 {image via thisisglamorous}

 {image via thenester}

{image via thedecorista}

{Image via wehearthome--nordic-bliss}

{image via housetohome.uk}

The above image reminds me of a recent instagram snap I took on a very rare + beautiful snowy day here in the Carolinas...

And...just because I love layers in fashion too...

{image via refinedstyle}

Wishing you warm thoughts and a very stylish weekend!

xo

patti

wishing...

...you all things beautiful this week.

I was reading + viewing some of my favorite blogs this weekend...and fell in love with this moving image from {thisisglamorous}. It's magical, isn't it?  It reminds me of the world of Harry Potter & mystically-moving photos.  One of my favorite lines from that beloved series is when Harry says "I love magic!"  Don't we all?


Wishing you magical moments + beautiful times this week.


xo

patti

valentine diy: crayons + watercolors

I was so inspired recently when I stumbled upon this amazing blog.

I had this image pinned to my Art pinboard for quite awhile, but I finally got around to clicking over.  And, wow! I was so glad I did. Absolute inspiration!

Once I soaked in the beautiful color + texture of Alisa Burke's post "creativity-with-crayons" ...I couldn't resist. I had to PLAY. (Click over and take a peek. I promise you'll be inspired too.)

I have had a long-standing love for crayons + watercolors. There is something about opening up a big box of crayolas or a palette of paints.  It must be the vast array of COLOR + all the possibilities of CREATING.

I put a little VALENTINE SPIN on Alisa's crayon + watercolor idea. As you know, I've been all about pink + red lately. 

SO, here it is, my Valentine art creation...

All you need is a white crayon, watercolor paper, water, paint + a brush. It's kind of magical really. It's a fun one to do with the kids (I think I'll keep all the art supplies out...even my teens might go for it.)

...And while I had the crayons out, I decided to create some Valentine CRAYON HEARTS (some of my favorite things from childhood).

You just need a few ingredients: crayon shavings, wax paper and some ribbons.. plus an iron to melt the shavings within the wax paper sheets.  Here's how my creation turned out...

I ended up ironing the wax paper a bit more to further melt the crayons...

Though I did it all from memory, there is a great how-to here. 

{image via pinterest}

I hope you've had a great week.  And I hope this post brings out some good memories... and maybe even a box of crayons. :)


Happy Friday!

xo

patti