Known for her serene style and graceful storytelling, Shelby Vanhoy is the heart behind Pretty in the Pines, a lifestyle brand that captures beauty in the details. Based in North Carolina, Shelby is known for her effortlessly polished style, serene interiors, and thoughtful storytelling that makes you want to slow down and stay awhile. Whether she’s curating a cozy space, sharing style tips, or documenting life with her sweet family, Shelby brings a refreshing authenticity to everything she touches.
Her design journey began in a New York City apartment, where she turned every inch into something truly mesmerizing—proof that even the smaller spaces can feel special with the right eye. That same magic now lives in Raleigh, NC, where Shelby has created a home that feels like a warm exhale: layered, light-filled, and deeply intentional. Her aesthetic is lived-in yet refined, with a softness that’s undeniably Southern and a modern sensibility that’s all her own.
We were so excited to sit down with her and chat about creativity, motherhood, and what’s inspiring her lately—and we feel so lucky to have captured a bit of her magic on camera.
Home and Family
CS: What is your favorite part of your child’s room, and why does it stand out to you?
SV: The reading nook! We love how it incorporates pieces he's had since he was a baby (bookshelf, art light) and continues to evolve as he grows! It's also just a really cozy
CS: What would you say your child’s favorite part of your home is, and how do they enjoy it?
SV: His first choice these days would be his sandbox (he'll spend hours at a time in there) but we recently moved his bedroom to what originally was the "playroom" so his part bedroom/part playroom is probably his favorite part of the home... or anywhere that has a basketball hoop (which is almost everywhere).
CS: Is there an item in your child’s room with the most sentimental value? What’s the story behind it?
SV: Our son was born in New York City and on one of our walks around the neighborhood (right before he was born), we walked by an artist who was painting a beautiful, colorful painting of the street corners that we lived on. Soon after, the artist was delivering it to our apartment and it'll always remind us of our time in the city!
Travel and Adventures
CS: What’s next on your travel docket, and what are you most excited about? We actually have a few local trips planned this spring... mountains & beach!
SV: Every trip as a family feels like a completely new adventure with how much of a difference even half a year can make in his growth and personality. We'll be staying at a resort on a horse farm on one of our trips and I'm excited to see his reaction to all of the animals. We are also expecting a baby girl at the end of the summer so I'd love to plan another babymoon too, if possible!
CS: What are you packing in your child’s suitcase for this trip, and why are these items essential?
SV: For the beach trips we have planned, we'll be packing a lot of sand toys, puzzles (for extra entertainment), trucks and cars, and books. We don't travel lightly these days.
Style and Aesthetics
CS: If you had to describe your child’s style in three words, what would they be?
SV: Comfy, playful, and no buttons allowed (his request)
CS: How does your personal style influence the decisions you make for your child’s wardrobe?
SV: I also prioritize comfort and quality when it comes to creating a wardrobe, so I definitely keep these in mind when shopping for his wardrobe! Whenever possible, I do love to tie in a lot of patterns and prints and are whimsical and fun. I recently added monster truck linen fabric to the lampshades in his room and it ties in some of his interests while also bringing a fun pattern into the mix.
Personal Inspirations
CS: Who is your favorite mom in pop culture, and what about her inspires or resonates with you?
SV: I love hearing and learning from other moms so I've been listening to Kylie Kelce's podcast lately where she interviews a lot of moms and I admire how she is growing a successful business while also continuing to be a present with her growing family.
CS: What are the must-have items in your mom bag that you always carry with you?
SV: I always try to have small things in my bag to entertain if we end up at a restaurant such as a coloring book or magnet toys. We'll also sometimes end up at a playground while running errands so I try to keep kids sunscreen with me all the time.
Career Reflections
CS: What’s the most exciting thing happening in your career right now?
SV: I’m really thankful that each year my business continues to grow and evolve as I also grow and evolve (it's been 11 years since I first created prettyinthepines.com) but I'm in a place in my career where I'd love to take more parts of the business offline whether that's more in person home decorating for others, bringing dream products to life, or hosting some sort of community event regularly.
CS: What’s the biggest challenge you’re facing as you navigate this exciting phase, and how are you overcoming it?
SV: A huge part of my career involves social media and the biggest challenge is knowing where to dedicate time and what to pass on... I can't say yes to everything and it seems there is always a new platform or feature popping up so it's important to narrow it down to what is realistic timewise. I also notice that I have more creative ideas the more time I spend away from my phone/computer so it's important to take screen-time breaks frequently!
CS: What accomplishment are you most proud of in your career so far, and how does it influence your vision for what comes next?
SV: A few years ago, I decided to give Youtube a try and I'm really proud of the community I've created on that platform. With Youtube providing longer form videos, it does feel like a slower paced, deeper connection platform and I really like that about it. But, overall, I'm really proud of how consistent I've stayed over the last 11 years while adapting and evolving with the changes of social media as well as the changes of my own interests.
Shop Shelby's Dalhouse Edit
Tear Sheet
Website: https://prettyinthepines.com/
Instagram: @prettyinthepines
Favorite beauty secret: honestly just refilling my water bottle
Gateway piece: this Petite Diamond Distance Band
Business advice: "You won't find growth in the familiar; Greatness lives outside of your comfort zone"
Recent read: Simplicity Parenting
