summer lovin'

Okay, okay, I promised to be a better blogger...and here it is mid-June & this is (finally) my first post of the month. Life is full, but it's time to get back to this-here blog. (see here for a recent post I did for in-the-gray.)

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

peonies + inspiration

Hi again. I'm so trying to get back in the groove of regular posts. Thanks for your patience.

I wanted to share a few bits from my week and mostly just wish you an amazing weekend!

This past Sunday was Mother's Day and I had a few treats, which included beautiful peonies,

a gift of a MAC makeover + makeup (it's like being a kid in a candy store),

...this is MAC's new Baking Beauties Spring/Summer 2013 Collection...so fresh + fun!...

...& a delicious dinner prepared by my very talented + Italian husband, including prosciutto e melone. He wrapped sliced cantaloupe with thinly-sliced prosciutto - Italian ham and then drizzled with balsamic + olive oil, salt + pepper. Such a yummy treat. Here's an instasnap...

...and finally watching my girls jump on the trampoline on a beautiful evening.  Those picture-perfect moments are ones to savor.

During the week when I wasn't transporting or negotiating with my teens, I was working (Post & Gray has their big patiopalooza event this weekend. If you're in Charlotte don't miss it!)...and I managed to do a little playing (checking-out my fave blogs).  I found this gorgeous inspiration at alisaburke...

Click here for more inspiring + beautiful images of her Spring colour study.

I wandered over to peoniesandbrass (love her blog + style).

...and found this breath-taking interior via northern light + lonny...

Don't you just want to be there?

Wishing you an inspiring + beautiful weekend!!!


xo

patti

garden party dreams

Are you craving outdoor gatherings & entertaining too? As the weather warms so does my love for patio & porch parties.

I'm over at in-the-gray today, sharing inspiration for life on the outside. Check-out these gorgeous garden stools I just photographed yesterday at Post & Gray...

 

...And click on this link for outdoor décor ideas.

 

In addition to blogging & dreaming of the perfect outdoor oasis, I've also been crushing on flowers in fashion, like this beautiful accessory (via shopbando)...

 

Perfect for a garden party setting, like this favorite image from domino...

 

 

Perhaps, with some refreshments, like these amazing-looking melon mojito popsicles...

 

 

recipe & image via endlesssimmer

 

 

Here's to fun & memorable outdoor gatherings to cheer in the warm days of Spring & Summer!

 

xo

 

patti

C-O-L-O-U-R!

Hi all! I'm guest blogging today over at Young America. We just completed the design installation of their new Showroom in High Point.

I developed many DIY ideas and together with the YA design team helped bring the concept to completion. Visit the YA blog for DIY details. Here's a close-up shot of the color block or "paint box" room...

 ...and the room complete...

The original inspiration was from this amazingness from Emmanuelle Moureaux architecture + design...

{image via blackeiffel}

...So while I'm on the subject of color blocking and COLOUR...here are a few recent finds of inspiration...

{via desiretoinspire}

 

Beautiful photography by Kate Mathis.

Doesn't it just make you want to create something?

{image via mietteshoppe}

Gorgeous architecture + lighting in #Paris. LOVE!

{image via street-fashion}

FUN fashion + colour!

Wishing you a colorful weekend!!

xo

patti

Still here...

It's Market time (Furniture Market in High Point that is)...so needless to say this Carolina designer is busy styling showroom spaces. 

Of course I'm dreaming of warm weather and a beach trip in my future...



{image via haute design}

...I've also been popping over to in-the-gray ... see my recent post about mixing vintage + modern ...



{image via lovelybride}

Don't you just love the mix? I love the gallery wall with pops of b+w chic and rich textures...the painted brick, the hide rug (you know I love me a hide) and the velvet tufted sofa. Yum!

I hope you are all doing well.

I promise to be a much better blogger once I get through this Market crunch.

Take care.

xo


patti

 

Bohemian Love

... so, i've been mia...crazy busy with a showroom design gig (more to come on that after High Point furniture market) and spending a lot of time over at in-the-gray ... see my latest post on global influences in design (there are lots of fabulous inspirational interior images).

While i was on the subject of global, bohemian style, I dug out one of my fave issues of domino magazine from 2008 featuring Amanda Peet's home.  It's always been a go-to source for creating a bohemian feel. There's lots of layers, candles, pink, textures, coolness, chicness.  i'm a fan, obviously.

Here are a few images to spark your interest (all images via nathan turner design)...

I remember being inspired by the images of Amanda Peet's home from domino magazine to add a little touch of boho to my space. I coincidentally had a photo shoot with a Moroccan theme ... so I did some prop shopping at world market and target to create a tray of candles with a hint of Morocco...

Of course I lit them just this morning to add onto this blog post. Here's what my morning looked like through my instagram lense...

Coffee + Candles = Morning Therapy.

Isn't it crazy that it's so dark in the mornings after the time change?

Hope you've had a great week.  Can't believe this month is racing by oh-so quickly.

Wishing you beautiful moments.

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

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 

 

 

valentine diy: crayons + watercolors

I was SO INSPIRED recently when I stumbled upon this amazing blog.

I had an image pinned to my "cool 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 eye candy of color + texture on Alisa Burke's post "creativity-with-crayons" ...I couldn't resist. I had to PLAY. (By the way, her photos + art are AMAZING... you have to 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 + the POSSIBILITIES of CREATING.

Anyway, 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 + 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 also worked on a blog post for Young America on creating CRAYON HEARTS (some of my favorite things from childhood).  Here are a few instagram snaps of my process...

Though I did it all from memory, there is a great how-to on this blog (I had pinned an image to my pink + red pinboard quite some time ago.) I still love this image. See even more beautiful shots of crayon hearts in the window here...





{image via}

You may notice, I didn't melt the crayons as much as the above example. I like the random patterns, but you can choose the look you want for yourself.

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