Placing Patterns Where They Shine: Meet Christine of Nelly & Isobel
- Miriam
- Sep 17
- 2 min read
When Christine Giarrusso of Nelly & Isobel designs a pattern, she doesn’t just think about colors and motifs — she thinks about the story it tells, and how it makes a space feel: ”My inspiration often comes from nostalgic memories and domestic spaces... old houses, cottage gardens, vintage books, travel and the soft storytelling of everyday life," she says. Christine creates approachable, meaningful designs, then presents them in a way that inspires others to imagine them in their own lives.
Every Detail, By Design
Christine’s patterns are inspired by the quiet beauty of everyday life — the wallpapers and textiles of heritage homes, cottage gardens in bloom, the charm of old books and handcrafted details. “Even before I discovered surface pattern design, I was drawn to the details in rooms — I like to know (or imagine) the story behind the pieces people collect over their lives and then display in their homes.”
Her dream clients reflect this vision too: boutique interior designers restoring heritage homes, or home sewists creating quilts, table runners, and other meaningful heirloom-quality pieces. “I deeply admire people who create beauty through home and handcraft, and I design with them in mind."
Every Design, In Context
For Christine, mockups have been key to showing her audience exactly how her designs can fit into their lives. “I use mockups to help people see how my designs could actually look in their own homes,” she says. “It’s one thing to show a flat pattern, but when you see it on a nursery wall or a Christmas stocking, you can really imagine it.”
She posts her mockups regularly on Instagram and Pinterest, noting that they help her work look more polished and more shareable. “People are much more likely to save and share my posts when they can see the pattern in context,” she adds. Mockups even help her improve her designs by letting her preview collections in realistic settings, catching issues with scale or cohesion she might have otherwise missed.
Every Impression, With Confidence
Since incorporating mockups into her workflow, Christine says her brand — and her confidence — have grown. “It’s helped me feel more confident in putting my work out there,” she says. “People can instantly picture how they’d use my patterns, and that makes them more likely to engage: mockups make the connection.”
Mockups also make it easy for her to keep her website fresh and up-to-date with new collections and seasonal imagery, keeping her portfolio polished and professional.
Every Pattern, Placed
Christine’s story shows how powerful mockups can be for artists. They help you show your designs the way they’re meant to be seen — in realistic settings, with a story and a mood that people connect with. And they give you the confidence to put your work out there, knowing it looks professional and polished.
Ready to bring your own designs to life? Browse the Mockup Library and find the perfect styled scenes to showcase your work.
How have mockups helped your creative business? Leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram @wanderingmoda — I’d love to hear your story!
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