Barrie Benson is so Pinterest-ing

Charlotte interior design Barrie Benson is mentioned in the January issue of Better Homes & Gardens as being one of the top designers to follow on Pinterest, a site where members "pin" images of things they love to an online pinboard as a way to share them with others.

"Some people say Pinterest is a total waste of time, but I beg to differ," says Benson. "It's fun and it's a way to remind me of things I've seen."

As one of the top tastemakers in the South, her Pinterest pages are inspiring others who gravitate to her chic and unique style that's a blend of modern and traditional. Benson joined the social networking site a year ago and now has more than 2,000 followers with an average of 100 more new people signing up each week to see what she pins. 

Search for her name on Pinterest and you'll see why her skills are nationally recognized including a photo of the little cafe tucked into Reid's Fine Foods that she designed, a dark wood dining table paired with painted white chairs and a closet she created for a friend among the many images.What's really fun is the different categories she pins images under, such as "It's A Party" that showcases clothes, hairstyles, decorations and recipes that would take any festivity up a notch. 

Her favorite thing about Pinterest is that it's a way for her to promote some of her talented friends. Under her category Light Brite you might see a light fixture she loves from one of her friends who's a lamp designer.  Under "Talented Peeps I  Know" you'll find people who inspire her including boutique owner Laura Vinroot Poole of Capitol and the Poole Shop, and fellow Charlotte interior designer John Bossard. 

If you see something on Benson's pinboard you like, you can repin it to your own pinboard (you do have to join the site at www.pinterest.com, but it's free). Underneath the image is the link to the original site where its from, which is great way to find new sources for things you're interested in.

"I know all this new technology is cutting into what little time we have to be quiet, but I really do find Pinterest to be beneficial," she says.