styling lately

School is back in session.  Fall is practically upon us.  And I am motivated anew to re-organize and refresh. How about you?

I've been guest posting over at Young America recently. See here for my post on back-to-school style tips (inspired by my teen girls).

I also had a photo shoot this month and was able to style a few fun vignettes.  Here are some of my favorites...

We shot these images for Young America with Diana Parrish Design and Photography. I love the light in this shot...and of course that gorgeous chandy I found at Home with Heart in Charlotte (a great shop for one-of-a-kind interior finds).

 ...an instagram close-up of the chandy candy...

A fresh desk vignette because we all like to at least pretend we have organized desks and live orderly lives.

I styled this room with classic childhood nostalgia like the slinky + striped straws + Crayolas + bubblegum balls (more on decorating with candy here).  Plus the fun + color of handmade paper streamers. I found these shape streamers via etsy. I think they are perfect for a kid's space or any festive occasion. I'm always up for any excuse to throw a party.

I wrote more about this bohemian-inspired room set here.  FYI: Some of my fave prop shopping stops for creating a boho vibe are Anthropologie (yarn spools), World Market (votives)and Pier 1 (pouf).

Please let me know what you think of my most recent styling work. I love hearing from you!

Wishing you a colorful week!



xo

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
 

butterfly chair love

BeSo retro. BeSo fresh.
Butterfly chairs add geometric shape and an easy, laid-back, carefree feel.  Maybe it's my love for that boho vibe...but I heart the butterfly chair.

We bought one for this young america photo shoot at urban outfitters in natural canvas... of course it rocks in this amazing loft space...



{I styled this room for young america ... using chair from urban outfitters and paper lanterns from ikea. locker bin & wooden game from target. 
Photography by ttw photo.}


While fixating on the topic of butterfly chairs and all things chic, I fell in love with these inspirational images of amazing indoor & outdoor living spaces...



{via the decorista. i love the translucency of the chairs & chandelier combined. perfection.}



{don't you just love the lighting of this shot? this is via pbteen .}



{via houzz. i always love the freshness of white outdoors or in.}

...& a little bohemian fashion inspiration...



{via lookbook.nu}



{via 30.media.tumblr}

Happy Friday! Happy Weekend!  Add a little style to your day. 

xo

patti

diy: paint swatch art

Another styling opp turned craft project. I love styling photo shoots of kid's rooms + crafting fun decorative ideas you can do with your kids. This time I wanted to try my hand at paint swatch art.  I had seen some ideas online, but wanted to do my own interpretation.

I picked the colour palette based on the linens selected for the bedroom suite, eastern accents "Matilda" bedding ...shades of coral, aqua & teal.  

I wanted to juxtaposition a modern, abstract piece of art with a vintage frame. To add additional visual interest, I mixed in other vintage frames for a layered look.

Here's how it turned out...

{Photographed by diana parrish photography & design for young america ; Paint color is Coral Gables by benjamin moore }

There's really not much to the "how to."  Simply start by picking up paint swatches from your local paint or hardware store.  I used a piece of foam core that fit into the frame as a base. 
I layered the swatches over one another to conceal the paint names on the cards.  I played around with different configurations...& once I was sure of my design, I began to double-stick tape the swatches onto the board. An original composition in no time.

Pretty cool, right? Practically free art. 

There's lots of fun ways to use paint swatches.  Here are more ideas...

{shapes}

{via bluevelvetchair.blogspot}

{gift wrap}

{via atypicaltypea.com}

...and some pretty coral + aqua flowers to take you to a happy place...

 {via ellabellafloral.blogspot.com}

{the above images are "likes" on my pinterest page to see the original sources... pinterest-BeSoStyle}

ps. you may also like another recent DIY post, sun prints. 

here's the link...besostyle.blogspot-diy-sun-prints

Have a great weekend!

patti

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