spring vibes + fresh finds

Hey all!
How are you holding up during this unconventional time? Hoping this post finds you safe at home. I wanted to share a few favorite finds and let you know what I've been up to, hoping to inspire you to create fresh spaces in your home despite the chaos going on around us. Thankfully, I've been busy collaborating with Isabella Style {see my recent blog posts here.} I miss being in the Isabella shop + studio, but grateful for an amazing creative team of women to connect with weekly on Zoom and daily via group texts. I've been pinning ideas, dreaming of minimal style for my interior + current loungy vibe. Here's a recent moodboard which gives you a sense of my style dreams (follow along on Instagram for more of what I'm lovin' lately)...

The mood is organic, fresh, simple. Do-able luxury with edited details. Currently craving French-inspired herringbone floors (a possible DIY in my future?). I've also been purging, streamlining and spring cleaning. I started with my porch and outdoor living areas (more spring cleaning + outdoor inspo here). Take a peek at my de-pollened porch which now serves as a family gathering spot, work-from-home office and study niche.

I also re-styled the living area for a bit of a re-fresh (for more interior ideas + inspiration link here)...

I cleared everything off the mantel. Added an organic branch and scavenged through old watercolor tablets to find one to frame. I love the color mix and always love the subtle statement of a watercolor. Isn't it fun how a mat and frame make any artwork totally legit?

I've been attempting to edit out the clutter and focus on clear surfaces. I've also been diffusing fresh aromas. Lemongrass + Sweet Orange are my go-to essentials. I love this set of essential oils in a cute compact package for tidy storing ... and currently coveting this ceramic diffuser ...

I've also been eyeing a few finds on the Isabella Shopify site, like these stunning abstracts by Kristin Endsley ...

... and this sweet straw bag with tassel, perfect for the spring + summer seasons and for shopping green ... 

... and these jewels from Noble Collective. I'm a sucker for white-on-white layers ...

And of course, I can never get enough candles to light-up the days + nights and create warm + cozy home feels.

What have you been dreaming of lately? ... What ways have you been coping with this time of isolation?  I'm super grateful for spring weather in NC and time outside.  Looking forward to connecting with friends in person again soon.  Until then, always over here dreaming, styling + creating whenever possible. Next up for getting my life in order, my home office (which sadly is currently a hoarder's episode of props and way too much stuff). 

Stay safe! Wishing you health, time for self care, and a little home refreshment.

xo

patti

#shelfie 101 : styling tips

In the age of the Selfie, we design-obsessed have a version all our own ... the Shelfie. Oh how we love a perfectly styled shelf. 

What is it about a well-designed etagere or bookcase? Is it the sense of order, the pretty mix of layers + textures? What draws you in?

I admit it, I'm guilty. Every time I see Emily Henderson's freshly styled bookcases, I'm inspired. Granted, I'm a photo stylist. These are the things we live for... to style, decorate, accessorize. Give me an empty bookshelf any day, and I'm ready to dig in and style away. Call me crazy, but styling a shelf is my kind-of fun!

I just recently teamed up with two amazingly talented women, Kelley Vieregg of KVID {Interior Design} + Emily Decker of EA Decker Photography. We were on location in the Charlotte area, in a fabulous kitchen designed by Kelley. I had the chance to add a few styling touches, and Emily captured it all in beautiful images. 

A killer kitchen, right? I mean, this is what dreams are made of (especially for those of us who adore an all-white kitchen).

I so love collaborating with other creatives. I had such a sense of girl power with this shoot. These lady bosses have got it going on. So much talent, style + creativity.

This brief shoot has me craving more opportunities to style, play + collaborate. I also wanted to share a few behind-the-scenes shots and use this opportunity to share some styling insight. A mini Shelfie Styling 101.

I know there are plenty of tips out there for styling a beautiful shelf (like this one from Em Henderson + this one from Design Sponge), but I wanted to give you my spin on the subject. The first step with styling a shelf is to clear it of everything. That's right, take it all off. Start with a clean slate, and then start building with books + props.  I typically love adding artwork into the mix, but this time kept it super clean.

Here are a few Quick Tips 
for Styling a Simple + Chic Shelfie:

1. Balance the elements. When styling shelves, it's all about the balance. You want to balance the colors and weight of objects. For this one, I kept the color palette fresh + clean since the shelf resides in an all-white kitchen. I wanted to carry that white-on-white look throughout. I chose to balance the whites with metallic accents and added a few natural textures, like the raffia tray ... making sure the right and left side of the shelf got equal love with pretty white shapes.

My goal was simple + clean. Of course you can always add more props + layers. 

Here is where I started...

The balance was off for me. Sometimes you don't know until you start to play with the arrangement. I didn't like the groupings right on top of one another and needed to balance the shapes and colors a bit.  Just a few tweaks + edits ...

...and I liked the fresh result...

2. Keep the mix simple. I love a layered shelf with a mix of bohemian, eclectic elements, full of color + texture... but sometimes with shelf-styling, less is more. Streamlining the color scheme to a blend of two or three colors keeps the look fresh and gives the eye places to focus and places to rest.

3. Add something organic. In this scenario I mixed in fresh potted herbs since these shelves are in the kitchen. Plants like succulents are perfect for shelves because you don't have to water as frequently. You can also opt for adding organic shapes like driftwood or coral...or cut a fresh branch or two from outside and place them in a vase or jar (like I did for the kitchen island).

... Here's a glimpse from behind the scenes in this stunning kitchen, design by Kelley Vieregg, KVID {Interior Design}. Photo by Emily Decker of EA Decker Photography.. 


I hope you enjoyed this mini lesson in shelf styling. Share your secrets with me too + be sure to comment. I love hearing from you.

xo


patti

a fresh take on holiday decor

Happy December!

It's so funny, at first the flood of holiday posts seemed premature... but now I'm feeling behind...and like I better catch up before I miss it.  Oh the peer pressure of social media and all us design-y bloggers. Don't get me wrong, I love the holiday inspiration + festive entertaining ideas...but seriously, it can be a little overwhelming. Am I the only one? We are surrounded by "Marthas" these days. It's a good thing. :) 
So much creativity + so many ideas! 
But here's the real deal...

You need to be you.  
And I need to be me. 

We need to find our own design voice. I just read an interview with Meg Ryan in Architectural Digest, and loved her comment, "...with decorating I am in control; it's a chance for me to bring my vision into the world." Love her! ...and love that thought.

My holiday decorating is not over-the-top ornate, and I'm okay with that. In fact, I kinda dig that it's not. Just call me a rule breaker. 

Fresh + simple is my design language, for the holidays + for always. 
Yes, I have managed to actually adorn that naked tree, but I loved capturing the beauty of its utter simplicity.
I would call my style a mix of Scandi minimalism + boho vibes. 

Here are two recent finds on instagram which are my current inspiration...

{image via AHomeFor DesignCrafts}

{image via Karla Venegas-Quiz}

I also wanted to share a few hints for a fresh take on holiday design:

1. Keep the color palette simple. Of course, I have to stray from tradition (surprise, surprise). My colors this year: white + pink, with hints of aqua + mint.

2. Bring in elements of nature. Fresh pine is a timeless cue that the holidays are upon us. I also love using pinecones + branches to add organic shapes + textures.

3. Don't be afraid to keep some decorations in the box. The past several years, I've freed myself of the obligation of putting it all out and it's liberating. Don't be afraid to re-invent some items with a fresh coat of paint (Oh the colors my pinecones have been!).

* * *

Keep an eye out for my instagram to see more as the holiday decorating continues. I also did want to share a recent holiday DIY that I did with SmartStuff4Kids. I made these sweet + simple sand art terrariums for the holidays {photos by Rex Yau @crobarcreative} ...

📷 by Rex Yau

Aren't they the cutest? See my DIY video here...and the blog post here.

I am in love with bottle-brush trees for the holidays. Some of these were from my personal collection (Thanks @targetstyle)...others I sourced via Etsy (my go-to source for all things hand-made). Etsy artists make beautiful hand-crafted bottle-brush trees AND Etsy is the perfect source for colored sand and glass terrarium vases. See all the colorful options here...

{Etsy sand source}

Be sure to follow me on Instagram for more of my latest inspirations.

So, tell me, what's your holiday design voice? I'd love to hear from you.

xo

patti

mood boards + fall feels

Happy Fall ya'll!

With Thanksgiving just two days away, I know everything will turn all holiday soon. So before the white snow-inspired decor hits your home and mine, I want to take a moment to appreciate all the beauty that is fall.

I'm always + forever a lover of collecting fall leaves to appreciate their beautiful shapes + colors just a little longer. And I love adding layers to my interior like my favorite white hide rug + lots of luxe throws.

I've also been bringing in fresh branches to add a little fall to the inside too.
How about you? (Or have you already begun the holiday transformation?)

I've been doing my best to take in all the amazing fall colors before they blow away...

...{Image via Instagram + Susan Andrea}...

Isn't this image just stunning? Such an incredible capture of nature painted pink. I confess, I've been perusing Instagram on the regular...

...and slightly obsessing over nude suede (since my boots above just bit the dust). 

My favorite inspiration so far ...

 ... {image via pinterest + hello fashion blog}...

I'm still on the look-out, so let me know if you know of a good source.

My mood boards + design concepts have also been inspired by fall ...

This one is a fresh mix of pale tones + organic elements, plus some cozy textures, like my DIY juju hats and lush pom-pom throw. I wanted to blend the warmth of brass with cool white, and mix in some soft shades of blush + coral. 

The next design concept is inspired by moody vibes + salted caramel dreams.

There's just something about a caramel leather sofa, Am I right? I added some hints of deep navy + metallic hues to classic + timeless neutrals...and mixed in some cocktail inspo just for fun.  

...{Images on Moodboards via pinterest}...

When it comes to designing interior spaces, every design project starts with the inspiration. Perhaps a color palette, a piece of art, or a favorite find.

My moody moodboard was initially inspired by my infatuation for a specific leather at COCOCO ... what do you think? Pure cool, right? {It's actually Pure Saddle, on the Arden + English Arm Sofas} ... link here to get one of your very own beauties.

I usually don't have any luck finding just one image that summarizes the look I want to achieve. I tend to pull from many different sources + of course from within my own crazy design-obsessed mind. Anyone else with me?

To start any interior project, I like to create an Inspiration board...A one-page overview that visually sums up the goal for the space.  It's an evolution of creation.  It starts with One idea and as the layers are added becomes something totally new.

Mood boards + virtual designs are great tools to formulate the essence of the look + vibe you want to create. These visual collages help define + direct the essential pieces needed to make the design you're dreaming of come to life.

My advice to clients is always to start with the elements you love and build from there.

Tell me... what projects are you working on and dreaming of? 

I'll just be over here dreaming of some salted caramel something...

{image via InspiredTaste}

Happy Thanksgiving !!! 

I'm so grateful you stopped by. 

xo,

patti

spring fresh!

Spring is here! O Happy Day! I am such a warm-weather lover.  If I could live in flip-flops + white tees year round that would be just fine by me.  

I've been loving the blooming trees, warmer sunny days ...and soaking in the spring vibes.

It's been awhile since I posted, so I wanted to fill you in on some of my newest projects + experiences. Earlier this year, I was crazy busy DIY'ing with SMARTSTUFF ... creating + crafting fun ideas for kids rooms {my first-ever DIY how-to videos are up on youtube}. Here's a quick snap of my favorite DIY creation, juju hats made with texture-rich feathers. My go-to source for all that feathers is Kimonos Feathers. This etsy shop came through for me once again with beautiful sewn-together feathers that made this DIY quite a breeze. Don't you just love these blush + white feathers?

I also just got a new gig, working with COCOCO HOME. They make gorgeous chesterfields + mid-century modern pieces + many more styles of very comfortable + chic upholstery.  All hand-crafted right here in NC. Check-out their instagram + facebook feeds for some interior inspiration...

For a little fun, I took a mini spring break to one of my fav getaway spots, South Beach. Raised a Florida girl, I always need a beach fix in the spring. Just a couple of days of inspiration. Cool architecture + art deco interiors, amazing people-watching, international influences and good clean eats (see my instagram for some of my finds + favorites from Miami beach)... 

For me, spring always means fresh approaches to interior spaces. Like adding fresh-flowering branches or potted plants to your space. Organic elements add instant freshness, as well as interesting shape and texture. Lately I've loved picking up potted herbs at Trader Joe's to add organic touches to my kitchen. Plus, I love having fresh basil whenever I'm craving Italian (check-out this recipe I found for mini caprese skewers). I am also crazy about the look + feel of adding succulents to interiors. Love, love, love their mint + aqua coloring and their beautiful shapes + textures. In fact, succulents were my inspiration for a recent mood board I did for a client...

  
What do you think? Soothing, right? I'm loving the mix of copper elements + rich woods with succulents and a fresh mint + neutral palette.  

What are you loving lately? Be sure to share your finds + crushes.

Hope you are enjoying springtime in your world.  

xo

patti