Country finishes
Building a home in the country is a dream for some of us. We picture an idyllic life surrounded by rich farmland, verdant meadows, a shimmering duck pond, a few friendly farm animals, vegetable gardens, fruit trees and wildflowers – the wonders of nature sure beat traffic snarls and squished high-rise living. Whether it is your very own newly built country house you are planning, or a century home that you have discovered, each room will have calming views of the outdoors. Decorating such a special place takes some time. If you enjoy following the journey of others who are living this dream, look to some of the coffee table books that detail their plans from design to decoration.
“Patina Farm,” by Brooke Giannetti and Steve Giannetti (Gibbs Smith), is a gem. Their supreme attention to every detail in every room is an education in how to blend indoor life with the outside landscape. Their first love is the rich patina of old furnishings, materials and objects. Texture and color blend seamlessly, creating an atmosphere that is easy and ageless. Their guest house pictured here provides a guide to all the materials that blend to produce this style.
The kitchenette and sitting area are a unit, with old barn boards framing the small cooking area. Open shelves are made from scaffolding, while dry goods are hidden behind a linen curtain. The wall above the stove and counter is decorated with displays of old books, antique pottery and small framed landscapes. This unexpected lineup reinforces the unity of kitchen and living room. The rich patina of an old leather chair glows softly beside Giannetti’s Courtney sofa, dressed with vintage textile pillows in shades of indigo. It’s a constant play of aged, textured woods and neutral fabrics. Natural linen draperies provide privacy, also used on the bed’s headboard and in place of cupboard doors. An old desk is employed as a vessel sink base in the bathroom, with a large basket beneath for towels.
The Giannettis built their farm around the colors of the landscape, using natural materials that age beautifully. Outside, galvanized steel and chalky limestone are duplicated indoors for countertops, a stone backsplash and fireplace hearth. White oak cabinets and center island pay tribute to the giant oak trees outside.
Steve Giannetti is a world-renowned architect. He and Brooke own the design firm Giannetti Home. They enjoy traveling the world, and shopping antique stores, estate and roadside sales is an irresistible pastime that unearths treasures galore to be re-used or repurposed. It is a fortunate fact that you can create this inviting style in your own home with just a few objects that are out there for you to discover. Old wood doors, some with antique door hardware, can be used to front modern and inexpensive storage cabinets. With a little carpentry, you can hang these doors in passageways, and even entranceways. Discover chairs, room screens, work tables and light fixtures that all share a similar lineage, well made and well worn, but with lots of life left in them. Lighting fixtures can be rewired, bulbs updated, shades added, but showing their original antique style.
On a personal note, I have lived through the excitement and hard work of a huge renovation in Tuscany. I’ve shared many of my insights, mistakes and victories on my blog. Visit www.debbietravis.com.
Email your questions to house2home@debbietravis.com.