Patina Style

by Brooke Giannetti, Steve Giannetti

Patina Style celebrates the beauty that the passage of time brings to the things in your life. The antique and imperfect and the slightly worn combined with natural materials and a subtle color palette create a look that is both timeless and fresh.

Genres: Design, Interior Design

160 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2011

Reviews

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is really two and a half stars. There wasn't really a lot of content in this book and I found most of the photos in the book very bland and dare I say it dull. While a lot of the antiques were very beautiful I found the colour schemes were tedious and every room in the book looked like every other room. Everything looked very staged, there was nothing personal in any of the rooms, they may as well be hotels. And while I do like that greenish putty shade they seemed so enamored with after a while it made me want to pitch the book across the room. I did like the photos of some of the collections, I especially loved the photo of the kitchen with all of the silver teapots and white china. Also the bathroom on page 96 was gorgeous. It was also the only picture that had any kind of colour in it, in this case a vivid pink ottoman. I look at design blogs a lot and I realize that the rooms that I really love are the ones with vivid colours that take my breath away and rooms filled with things the owners love, not things some designer told them to buy. I'm glad I didn't purchase this book, that is why I love the library so much.

[Rose Regan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an architecture, style decorating book and I really liked it. The homes shown were nothing I could afford, all mansions, but you can get decorating ideas for your nice middle-class homes. My favorite home was "Oceanside" which is French/Brittany Style -- loved that turret, living room, and outside fireplace sitting area.

[Mariℓina · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 Stars! An easy in the eye book, ideal for people who love to decorate their space on their own, filled with great ideas and unique perspective although a little tedious chromatically speaking..


A great example of how to 'age' your house with grace and taste.


It contains various themes from the right palette, to bookcases and french doors!
Beautiful antiques in every page and nice not overdone rooms.. but to be fair something seems to be missing..


THOUGHTS ABUT THE BOOK

- French style and antiques!!!
- Maybe it should contain more info about each room and how to achieve the best result..
- I liked the font so much, it was very elegant although a bit difficult to read!
- The photos were all very good, with the best in my opinion being the above 3.

[Phyllis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a relaxing tour of several rooms (both interior and exterior) all decorated in the shabby chic or patina style. The authors described their color choices, fabric and texture strategies, design decisions and antique usage with explanations illustrated by lovely photos. Of course not everyone is going to like everything in this book, but there are many great ideas. The two things that I found difficult to agree with was their decoration of their kids' room and study. There was no personality to be found here, nothing that a kid (or teenager) had actually added to the room to make it theirs. The other complaint is the font of the titles and page numbers were difficult to read. Some graphic designer made that decision without any realistic feedback. If you like antiques and the patina of old furniture, you'll enjoy seeing how the authors collected and decorated with them. And like me, you'll probably be motivated to go foraging in flea markets and thrift stores to discover your own decorative treasures.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful photos but the copy was a little dull.

[Mary Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like the Shabby chic style of decorating, this book is for you. If you do not, don't bother. Beautiful photography and good resources for fans of this trend.

[Ronald felix.Nieves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring, beautifully visual

I like the format information well presented ,too monochromatic like to see what they can do with colors, and contrast I love the passion they express I totally relate I'm A designer. Enjoyed the experience of the book. Definitely will follow the work

[Stephanie Toigo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Patina is a word for it, but I just feel like the chairs were not upholstered well, and you will cut yourself on a exposed nail or staple and it just looks sloppy. Some of it is a stretch and not realistic. They do have practical ideas on reusing things like concrete slabs. Not my aesthetic but want to be familiar with it.

[E · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you want to replicate the faux vintage section of the Restoration Hardware catalog in your home - this is the book for you. Not very inspiring - already feels dated?

[Moi · Rating 3 out of 5]

wonderful advice about materials, color, and cost-staving choices.

dated visuals.

[Ricki Treleaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

This week I read Patina Style by Brooke Giannetti & Steve Giannetti. I usually check-out home decorating books from the library before purchasing them, but I ordered a copy of Patina Style from Giannetti Home because I knew I would not be disappointed. I have followed Brooke's blog, Velvet & Linen, for a very long time. At first I was a "lurker" because I really did not understand blogging, but eventually I became a public follower.

I first discovered Brooke & Steve while reading Country Living Gardener several years ago, and I instantly fell in love with their home. I thought it was so pretty, and the beauty of their home did not end with the walls; it extended out into the garden and pool area. You could tell from the article that the family enjoyed blurring the boundaries between inside and outside. Their cottage style mixed subtle garden hues, exterior elements, and pretty, soft florals. Although they have redecorated most rooms since it was printed, it has been fun seeing how their lovely home has evolved.

Patina Style illustrates the Giannettis' definitive style through gorgeous photographs and well-written prose (yes, I am one of those readers who actually reads home decorating books). I like the way the book is organized into chapters featuring elements of their design philosophy; "Embracing Imperfections," "Architectural Elements," and "Indoor Outdoor" were three of my favorite chapters. "Embracing Imperfections" taught me how a gorgeously painted accent wall can be sanded to achieve an aged patina. In "Architectural Elements," I was drawn to the creative displays of old doors and shutters. "Indoor Outdoor" is my very favorite chapter. Architectural features are also used outside to define outdoor rooms. I love the photo of an outdoor garden room that is anchored with weathered shutters. Pots and a painting are hanging from them adding to the coziness of the room. The sitting area also features a heavy metal industrial shelving unit filled with gorgeous succulents planted in a variety of pots. This chapter also features indoor rooms with stone tables and other outdoor elements. The indoor and outdoor rooms are linked through casually opened, lovely French doors. This blend of the indoor and outdoor is definitely my favorite design element of patina style.

The Giannettis love shopping at antiques fairs and flea markets. They believe rooms should have a combination of old and new, vintage and practical. A pretty antique always has a story behind it; family pieces always remind the owners of their history. Acquired pieces are fun, too, especially when found on fantastic trips out of the country, or fun outings to the local flea market. Either way, memories and stories associated with antiques make a home unique, and I love how Brooke and Steve mix antiques with new upholstery and streamlined industrial pieces.

Brooke and Steve are in the planning stages of building their dream home, Patina Farm. Brooke is keeping her blog readers updated on their progress, and I hope that each step is documented because it would also make a great book. I hope the Giannettis take the hint!

I love this book, and I look forward to reading it again over the weekend. I know this book will make my Best Home Decorating Book List of 2011, and I highly recommend it.

[Susannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful photography but the ornate font made it hard to read section titles. I was disappointed to discover that the content is more of an overview, offering no depth, or even tips, about interior design. If you are hoping to learn how to achieve a patina style, you won't find it in this book. The authors offer four paragraphs about dining room design and two paragraphs for foyers. I was very disappointed and I still don't understand what "patina style" involves or how I can achieve it.

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mix between antique and french provincial, patina style has me loving each and every page. Beautiful stoneware, rich wood, bowls of limes, all tie in to create a warm, comfortable feel. A look I will look into more. Great escape.

[Adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

and...there's even a blog!!!