Book Tour: Patina Style
See how the chipped, tarnished and rediscovered can inspire your interior design
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta... More »
Brooke and Steve Giannetti have been collecting unique finds and designing their homes around them for 25 years. Whether it's a Flemish panel, a silk Fortuny pillow, a chipped shutter or a tarnished flea market bucket, each item has found a perfect place in their homes, and many inspired the design of entire rooms.
As their distinctive design style was clarified and honed via their blog, Velvet and Linen, a book emerged. "The blog helped us write the book; in writing the blog I have had to sit and make clear what our design philosophy is," Brooke says. On their daily 6 a.m. walks, the couple had hour-long discussions about the book, hashing it out by section and brainstorming on the topic at hand. Now the result is available for all of us to enjoy; here is a tantalizing taste of Patina Style.
As their distinctive design style was clarified and honed via their blog, Velvet and Linen, a book emerged. "The blog helped us write the book; in writing the blog I have had to sit and make clear what our design philosophy is," Brooke says. On their daily 6 a.m. walks, the couple had hour-long discussions about the book, hashing it out by section and brainstorming on the topic at hand. Now the result is available for all of us to enjoy; here is a tantalizing taste of Patina Style.
by Giannetti Home
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So, what is "Patina Style," exactly? It's about paying respect to an item's age and weathering and appreciating the story it tells. It's about seeing history, beauty, experience and long journeys when looking at tarnish, worn spots, and darkened or distressed pieces. It's about balancing old and new, simple and ornate, masculine and feminine and industrial and gilded.
In this dining area, garden views and natural light pour in through French doors and transom windows, while natural fibers and mix-and-match seating are balanced by an industrial table and unexpected carriage-style lantern. Fresh blossoms create another tie between indoors and out.
In this dining area, garden views and natural light pour in through French doors and transom windows, while natural fibers and mix-and-match seating are balanced by an industrial table and unexpected carriage-style lantern. Fresh blossoms create another tie between indoors and out.
by Barnes & Noble
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You may absolutely judge this book by its cover. Rich textures, aged elements with a story to tell, interesting antiques, a warm and comfortable neutral palette, natural fibers, glowing light, and a font appropriate for the couple's aesthetic let you know exactly what you'll find inside.
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by Giannetti Home
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| One unexpected element inside: two-page original sketches by Steve that announce the next topic with charming personal flair. Each drawing includes Steve's favorite piece from each section. |
by Giannetti Home
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Brooke and Steve believe in planning a room around a piece with patina, whether it's a few old columns, a set of shutters, or perhaps old doors. These French antique pine doors are an architectural element used in a new way. An antique dress form or an antique rocking horse add unique style stamps to a space, becoming sculptures with a story to tell.
by Giannetti Home
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How to obtain the patina-style balance? "As a general rule, add a maximum of around 3-4 old and chippy pieces to a room," Brooke says. "You'll want a mix of old and new. Keep upholstery clean and simple, and balance older pieces with industrial pieces."
This bathroom is a wonderful example of patina style. The vanity is fashioned from a vintage piece, the mirrors are gilded yet chipped, the glass pendant lights add interesting shape and decoration overhead. However, the walls are freshly painted and smooth, the curtain is crisp and light, and the fixtures are clean and new. Metal basins sinks are industrial and more masculine; they balance out the feminine floral light fixtures above.
This bathroom is a wonderful example of patina style. The vanity is fashioned from a vintage piece, the mirrors are gilded yet chipped, the glass pendant lights add interesting shape and decoration overhead. However, the walls are freshly painted and smooth, the curtain is crisp and light, and the fixtures are clean and new. Metal basins sinks are industrial and more masculine; they balance out the feminine floral light fixtures above.
by Giannetti Home
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Here, warm wide-plank floors provide a base that the couple feels only gets better with time, while an industrial table, chairs and pendant light are balanced by freshly painted built-ins and walls. A nautical theme loosely ties some of the decorative objects together and inspires the marine wall light and pendant light, without making things feel forced to a theme.
by Giannetti Home
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Patina style means combining monochromatic items on shelves in order to create a unified look. "One foolproof way to create a display is to showcase similar objects together ... the likeness might be in color, or shape, or period style, or material or place of origin," they write.
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by Giannetti Home
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| The balance outdoors comes from balancing the formality of structure (paths, flower beds, walls, etc.) with the informality of planted form. Patina style advocates "letting the space go a little wild" within the basic infrastructure. In this front garden, beds and walkways were established, then the plants were allowed to go wild. Weathered pots, iron pieces and wicker were casually added to decorate the space and to provide spots to relax and enjoy it. |
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| After more than 25 years together, Brooke and Steve are still giving each other their favorite finds as gifts, and enjoy searching for unique items at flea markets, thrift stores, consignment shops and antique stores around the world. In addition to raising their three children, Steve's thriving architectural practice, a popular design blog and an online design service, they have opened a store where you can buy some of their favorite finds: Giannetti Home. Purchase your own copy of Patina Style More Book Tours: Salvage Secrets The Happy Home Project Decorate |
Ideabook updated on Aug. 28, 2011.
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We sell those chairs at our shop.
Please Contact Kelly for more info. : Kelly@giannettiarchitects.com
Thank you!
Brooke