Patina Farm - A Design Book Must For Your Library

Joann and I began blogging in 2009.  Back then, blogs were not nearly as mainstream as they are now and certain bloggers made a huge impression on me as I tried to cultivate my personal writing style and brand my own design aesthetic.  One of those blogs was Velvet & Linen written by Brooke Giannetti who began her blog the same year as Kandrac & Kole. 

I was quick to attend a book signing event with Brooke and Steve at ADAC here in Atlanta when their first book,Patina Stylewas published. It was no surprise that they were as down to earth and nice as their book revealed their lifestyle to be.

The donkeys (Dark Brown "Daisy" Light Brown "Buttercup") at Patina Farm, the home of Brooke and Steven Giannetti in Ojai, CA. Architecture by Steven Giannetti and interior design by Brooke Giannetti.

Several years later when Brooke and Steve decided to build the home of their dreams on 5 acres in Ojai, California, Brooke shared every step of their journey on her blog. It seems like forever ago that she was gleefully writing about her new Lacanche range being installed or deciding to add miniature donkeys to their animal menagerie, or finding the perfect antique in Belgium or France to add to a particular spot in the new house.  This journey is now artfully chronicled in Brooke and Steve's new book,Patina Farm.

cover

The forward of the book byClinton Smith, Editor-in-Chief ofVeranda,is beautifully written.

"The vision that Brooke and Steve Giannetti have executed celebrates the good life and the art of living well. Artfully designed and executed, the house - like it's owners - is a study in unpretentious elegance. Casual, comfortable style blurs the lines between indoors and out. Yet beyond the stalwart stone facade, hand-finished plaster walls and antique tile roof, it's the spirit of the place that emanates. 

When you're at Patina Farm, you feel it through the waft of lavender in the backyard, the sound of crunching pea gravel underfoot on the back terrace, boughs of freshly cut lemons of the kitchen island, the jolly nature of miniature donkeys and Silkie Bantam chickens that have the run of the place."

My design library is robust and I can say thatPatina Farmis one of my all time favorite design books. The lessons and inspirations abound like this image from the master bathroom that is etched in my brain forever. Imagine the peace found here.

Freestanding bathtub in large shower room with floor to ceiling glass walls, dual brass shower fixtures, and view out to green garden.

Thoughtfully creating a color palette inside our homes that purposefully mirrors the outdoors of our particular surroundings in something we can all do. Steve and Brooke even planted flowers in their gardens the color of their interiors knowing that they would always have an abundance of cut flowers in the house.

Vases of roses and large vase of green plant on wooded slab with books against upholstered flower patterend background.

Large steel windows that go all the way to the countertop give an unobstructed view of the gardens from the kitchen.

Backyard garden view with gravel path through boxwood shrubs leading towards backdoor of tan house with red tile roof.

Artfully displaying collections like these vintage cutting boards and then lighting them with a portrait light makes quite a statement.

Wood dining table with two blue upholstered armchairs, stone hearth fireplace with various rustic cutting boards on top, container of oranges and milkweed on table.

Using vintage cabinetry instead of stock cabinetry makes for a much more interesting way to display simple white dishware (or any collection for that matter). 

room with recessed window area with large wicker basket, blue upholstered chair with oval wood table, blue wood hutch with white dishware.

How many people have a built in bookshelf like this? How easy to put a simple linen skirt on a tension rod to hide the last shelf or two?  The dog and rabbit supplies are hidden behind this skirt in Brooke's office.

Wooden table an chairs in white room against built in wall shelves with various old distressed books on them with wood and glass door going into other room with high ceilings with exposed llight wood beams.

We all need to remember to celebrate our families heritage as well as our own personal talents as Steve has done on these reclaimed shelves in his office where he displays collections of plaster pieces from his families factory along with his own paintings.

white wall with built in rustic wood shelves with various ceramics, photos, paintings, artist tools, etc..

I just love that even amongst the beauty and wonder of this amazing home goats, donkeys, chickens, dogs and a bunny roam the property making Patina Farm even more special. I think I'm too OCD for this but it's something I aspire to:)

Black pygmy goat plays in potted tree.

The greatest lesson of all from this book is this:

"One of the main reasons that we built Patina Farm was to show our children the power of a dream. We've always told our children that dreams can come true. Yes, their fulfillment requires a lot of hard work and determination, but they are attainable." - Steve and Brooke Giannetti

You can follow Patina Farm and the Giannetti's work onInstagram, Pinterest, andFacebook.

You can purchase the bookHERE.

ENJOY!

Kelly 

Please Note: Photographs in this post by Lisa Romerein from Patina Farm by Brooke Giannetti and Steve Giannetti, reprinted by permission of Gibbs Smith.