blush balloons! + other blush crush finds

Hi all!  Happy New Year!  Hope your 2016 is starting off beautifully.

{image via}

I wanted to wish you many confetti-filled moments + a fresh start in this new year.

I also thought I'd share a few thoughts + pretty pictures to launch the blog for 2016.  

Before the holidays set in, I had a fun photo shoot opportunity.  One of my favorite images I styled is this girl's room in ballet blush for Stone & Leigh, a new youth furniture collection by Stanley that just debuted at High Point Market...

{photography by MODE}

I always love styling with balloons, but absolutely fell in love with these over-sized blush balloons.  We found these beauties on Etsy, one of my go-to sources for photo shoot finds. I mixed-in varying shades of blush + pink to layer the look...and added authentic dance elements, like the pointe shoes on the ballet barre + pink tutu. There's something classic about a ballet-inspired little girl's room, but we gave it a fresh take. Don't you think?

As you may have guessed by my recent pins + instagram snaps, I'm currently crushin' on blush. Obsessing over this beautiful bedroom image I pinned recently via the LuxPad by Elisabetta Rizzato, Interior Blogger ...

Swoon-worthy, right?  I so love the white + blush mix ... the layers + textures.  It makes me want to give all my walls a fresh coat of white for the new year.

I also recently re-discovered a fav blog, sugar + cloth, and found some lovely DIY ideas and just plain fabulous images that inspire me to live a little more beautifully (check-out those gorgeous succulents!) ... To me, organic shapes + natural elements are such a must in any interior space. 

I spied this book at the new Anthro in Charlotte's South-End.  With the title of "Love Style Life" and the inspirational text, I've decided it just may need to be my new year resolution read. 

And since every new year calls for a new planner ...  I found this pretty pastel planner by Sugar Paper at Target.  (Be sure to follow me on Instagram for all my latest finds + inspirations).  

So, let the planning + dreaming + vision-board-making begin!

January always brings a fresh start.  I've been diving into a major organization mode (see my post here for some creative organization ideas).  It's amazing how clearing + simplifying spaces frees a bit of stress ... and brings new focus.

What are you resolving for the new year?

Here's to making strides toward our goals + dreams in 2016!

xoxo

patti

pineapples + burlap

The pineapple is having a moment.
Have you noticed?

Whether it's the real deal starring in instagram snaps...

{via instagram}

or pretty porcelain versions serving as home accents...

{via hodi home}

or painted pinas featured in watercolor prints... 

{via made by girl}

the Pineapple is having its time in the sun. 

...and on bar carts around the design scene...

{via instagram}

{via the everygirl}

  
You can even get a digital download on Etsy, like this one...

{Etsy link here}

Link here to see all things pineapple at Etsy.

If you follow me on pinterest or instagram, you know I've been slightly obsessed with the design trend.  So, when I hosted a party recently, I found an excuse to decorate with pineapples too. 

A little gold + white spray paint transforms an ordinary pineapple into a work of art.

My daughter made this sweet little pineapple mosaic.  It worked perfectly for the occasion. (so cute, right?)

...And thanks to a pop-up shop by mintwood home, I found a pretty ceramic pineapple for my cocktail table too...

And there's nothing like a party to kick-start a diy project you've been putting off.  I had wanted to re-invent my very beat-up Ikea lack coffee table and finally made the time for a quick update.  The table was the perfect size + scale for my living room, but was frankly a hot mess (think peeling veneer).  With the help of a little burlap fabric + nailheads (and a little measuring + pressing)...the table is transformed.  You've gotta love a renovation that only costs $16 at the fabric store + a little bit of time and effort.

...Here's the finished renewed result...

What do you think of my refreshed table? 

Tell me, what trends are you obsessing about lately?

I hope you're having an incredible Autumn.


xoxo

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

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

boho chic

Hey all!

I have a photo shoot for Young America this week in High Point and had some fun today creating, crafting, styling + designing.  My fav set was a bohemian-inspired room. You know I love me a bohemian interior... + Moroccan influences... + colored glass.

Here's our boho chic room in the works...

So...What do you think? I'm in love with that amazing Schumacher wallcovering. I also adore the colour rug by nuloom. The prop shopping + selecting process is fun, but mixing it up + layering the details is what I love the most...creating the scenario. I especially love designing spaces I'd happily live in myself.

For the shoot (+ the showroom) I created a groovy boho-style tray, using mod podge + graphic, colorful wrapping papers from World Market. 

Take a peek at the finished result...

{link here to purchase yours}

{link here for the how-to}

Now I'm in the mood to wear a little something boho- hip as well. Maybe something like this...

image via

Have an incredible week!!! Wishing you moments of fresh perspectives + fun!

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

pink + red styling

I've had a whirlwind of a week, so I apologize for being a slack blogger. I wanted to be sure you knew I was thinking of you... and as always seeking inspiration for style + design.

As you know I've been loving pink + red, an always-favorite colour combination for me, anytime of year.

I did a little styling + visual merchandising at Post & Gray in Charlotte this week, as well as writing for in-the-gray (see here for more images + ideas).
 
These are a few close-ups (don't you love the pink hyacinth + red tulips? I'm officially craving Spring now)...

{follow me on instagram}

...And here are two of my favorite pink + red stylings that I can't take credit for...

{via champagneandpinkcigarettes}

 {classic. via pink + red pinboard}

A big blog hug to all my readers.  Thanks for staying connected.

{via}

xoxo

patti