Beebe Cline, White Rock Realtor

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.


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.

by Giannetti Home


Patina Style by Brooke and Steve Giannetti - $25.00 

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.

by barnesandnoble.com


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


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

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.

by Giannetti Home