our home

Several of you have asked to see the inside of our home. Although I have done several posts about parts of our home, I have never given you a tour in a single post. So here it is...

The stacked cement pillars as well as the pathway are made up of the broken concrete pieces that once were our old driveway. I found the vintage gate and the pair of urns at a the Santa Monica Flea Market.

Our little green dutch door allows us to open the door without losing our pups.

It also works well on Halloween!

Welcome to my home! It is a casual place. We built it 7 years ago, but Steve and I wanted it to feel like an old beach cottage. 

We incorporated many vintage architectural pieces in the design including these old columns and the blue corbels. Everyone in the family has their own "locker" for their stuff by the front door.

There are actually 3 of these Murano glass ceiling fixtures that illuminate the downstairs. I found them on 1st dibs when Michael Bruno first started his wonderful site. We have no recessed ceiling lights, so our whole home is lit with ceiling fixtures, wall sconces and table lamps.

The living room is in the front of our house. It used to be all white, but I wanted it to feel cozier. I warmed up the space by putting grass cloth on the walls and painting the back of the bookshelves Vert de Terre by Farrow and Ball. The color matches the green stripes in my Bennison drapery fabric. The bound sisal carpet  with a small hook rug on top also added warmth and texture. 

Here is a close up of my Bennison pillows. I found the painting on the wall at a flea market. I just love her.  I have several English bamboo pieces in my home, like this book book case. 

Behind the living room is my dining room. 

Here is the another view of the dining room. As you can see, our home has a very open floor plan. It works well for a home this size and makes our home feel nice and airy.  

The big mirror on the wall was once a church window, and the ornate corbel came from an old home in New Orleans. I found both elements at a flea market when we were building our home.

My kitchen is behind my dining room. We lit the kitchen with school house fixtures and old holophane pendant lights. The ceiling is covered with tin ceiling tiles painted white. Windows behind the cabinets allow the light to illuminate my pink depression glass. Cups and plates are displayed on open shelves.

The counter tops are honed Carerra marble, and the backsplash is white subway tiles.

We paneled the refrigerator and used a Victorian screen door for the pantry.

The island is painted a light green and has a butcher block top. We inset Carerra marble around the island sink to keep the wood away from the water. 

My little desk is to the left, but it's always so messy that it never gets into the pictures!

We used all green glass knobs and pulls on the cabinets.

I love my little skirted farmhouse sink.

Across from the kitchen is our family room. My globe collection sits above the TV.

My 1920'a carnival chalk dog collection found a home in the shelves by the window. 

A little computer desk sits in a nook to the right of the TV.

The window seat to the left lifts up for game storage.

 

This enclosed garden room used to be my back porch.  We added all of the windows about a year after we built our home when we realized it was too chilly to eat outside most of the time. The farm table is huge and allows the kids to have tons of friends over for dinner.

This cozy seating area is at the other end of the garden room. It is a great place to sit and watch the kids in the pool or just read a book. I keep dreaming of putting  a little desk in here. I would love to work and look out into the garden.

In case you were curious, this is what the back of my home looked like before we enclosed the porch.

Time to go upstairs...

I recently did a post about my wallpapered  laundry room, but I will include a couple of images here as well since it sits at the top of the stairs behind a pair of french doors with frosted glass.

Like the kitchen, the counter top is Carerra marble and the backsplash is white subway tiles. All of our faucets in the entire house are from Newport Brass.

For Leila, Steve designed a little bed nook with shelves for her books and stuffed animals. We found some corbels to put in the openings.  I bought the lighting on E-bay. We used lined match stick blinds in all of the kids' rooms.

Leila's bathroom was in the wallpaper post as well, but it is too cute not to include in the tour.

Sorry, the boys' rooms were too messy for photos....

My bedroom is my favorite room in the house. It really does feel as if you are up in a treehouse. I found all of the rugs at flea markets, and all of the chandeliers were either purchased at t flea market or on Ebay. It was a wonderful way to furnish my home, but an impossible way to furnish anyone else's home. Because Steve and I are early risers, I was able to use unlined white linen to cover all of the windows. 

I found the mantle on Ebay as well (again, something I could never do for a client).

The doors lead out to a small balcony.

My pretty little antique vanity sits on this side of my bedroom. The wall is covered with Steve's beautiful drawings.

Thank you for stopping by!

xo

Brooke

 

Comments

[TWB]

Absolutely splendiferous divine!

[Peggy]

Your home is absolutely gorgeous! I can't picture a more perfectly peaceful, beautiful place.

[Linda@Lime in the Coconut]

Oh what a treat! It looks just as I picture a California Cottage to look like. Love your use of all the architectural elements...the corbels, the pillars, the beams...

It is soo romantic and cozy. What a wonderful nest you have created!

Thank you for the tour this morning!

[Jen R Sanctuary arts at home]

You have a beautiful home! I love the garden room with the miss matched chairs and all of the architectural elements you have!

[Angela Henrie]

It is absolutely the loveliest home. I love it.

[The Steel Magnolia House]

Soooooo picture perfect...thank you for sharing your special home with us, Brooke!!!!

[tania]

This is so Amazing !
I really appreciate Velvet and Linen and Giannetti Home so much ! that yesterday I projected to read about you on my french blog with foto's from your Beach cottage but it's already done on your's ! so I will make a link to your blog ! Thank you for these wonderful pictures ...

[teresa]

Oh how fun- I love home tours- your home is lovely and just what I imagined you would have- All the added architectural pieces are fabulous. You have given me some ideas- {which I will be filing away} I've never used Marble how is it to work with?
We were looking at a home Sat. {1930's home} it was in a sorry state- and I've been thinking all weekend what could I do to make it work- your enclosed porch just helped me out some-
Thanks-

[Nancy]

Beautiful..I'm on my way over right now!

Seriously, your home is so serene and so clean! How do you do it?

Thanks for inviting us in!
Nancy

[Ann - Hill Country House]

Brooke, Your home is just lovely and seems to be perfect for you and your family! I agree - your bedroom is my favorite, too - having comfy chairs and a place to retreat or talk with my husband when our house is full of teenagers is something I enjoy. I love all of the architectural pieces you built into your home - so, so pretty!! Thank you so much!

[Lee]

This is so charming and warm. It must be nice to return to such a lovely home. You've achived a light, casual home without making it look "girly" in the common areas. After reading the post about the "English Gentleman" project, it was fun to see the green in the bookcases and your globe collection.

I've picked up several good ideas for projects we are doing to finish our "new" home. I have a space reserved for lockers in our mudroom, but wasn't sure how to do them. Could we have a peek inside?

How do you handle dog hair and the sisal rug? I've avoided them, as we have a very sheddy black lab and 2 black kitties.

[Diana]

Beautiful as always, Brooke! Thanks for sharing with all of us in cyberspace. Your home is so friendly and inviting.

Diana

[Erin]

Thank you so much for taking us inside your breathtaking home!! Every inch is incredibly beautiful!!

[kathysue]

Brooke as soon as I entered the garden area I knew it would be special.almost like a secret garden.I took a deep sigh as I entered because of the relaxed feel of your home.At every turn I was more relaxed and impressed you have made a beautiful,comfortable and relaxing home not a decorated house.Great job and thank you for allowing me to be a guest in your home.It is truly amazing,Kathysue

[Mrs. B.]

Your home is a dream come true. Gorgeous.

[Isa]

Brooke, your home is just absolutely gorgeous and extremely special. I feel like I know you better now!
Thanks for such a personal tour, it made my day.
xo Isa

[Brooke Giannetti]

Hi Teresa.

Oooh. I can't wait to see what you do, if you buy the 1930's home.
I am honored that you found some inspiration in my home.

xo
Brooke

[Cathy]

Your home is so beautiful, and so very warm. Thank you so much for sharing. Just lovely. I love reading your blog. It is such a treat for me. Take good care. Cathy

[Brooke Giannetti]

It's not always this clean, Nancy!
With three kids, two dogs and a husband, it is a constant battle.

xo
Brooke

[Anci]

Hi,

Thank you very much for showing me your wonderful home. I've seen many details I like a lot and I don't have enough words in english about what I think of the whole house. It's just so lovely and fine. You have to came up with more words by yourself ;)

xo
Anci

[Brooke Giannetti]

Hi Lee.

I don't have any images right now of the inside of the lockers.
I can tell you that I put two shelves in each cubby: one up high for hats etc... and one
down low for shoes. We put three hooks for jackets and backpacks.
Steve has an additional shelf with an electrical outlet in it for his phone.

As for the sisal and animal hair, I am fortunate that my dogs don't shed.
If they did, I assume that vacuuming the rugs would take care of the problem.
Although you may have to vacuum too much for it to be worth it.

I hope that helps!

xo
Brooke

[Kathy]

Thank you so much for the tour Brooke, your home is lovely and it is JUST what I thought it would look like. It looks like you !!! (I love your green mixer by the way)

Have the boys clean their rooms I can't wait to see them LOL

Have a nice day,
Kathy :)

[mimi]

Brooke,

You are so dear to show us your spectacular home. It is just as I imagined it from all your previous posts. Thanks so much for sharing!!

[sandra/tx]

Brooke, your home exemplifies such a warm, cottagy look and feel. It's a wonderful reflection of your generous personality. Thanks for the tour.

[Paula Bee]

Dear Brooke,

I am speechless. Your home is simply beautiful! Your garden is stunning and every room gorgeous. I am getting ready to make some changes to my home here in Northern California built in 1873. I love your kitchen ceiling. Can you tell me if it is painted tin or wallpaper? It has a nice soft gloss to it--Also do you happen to recall the name of the wallpaper you used in your laundry room? I am one of those people who still enjoy a bit of wallpaper to cozy a room up. -- Thank you for a lovely tour of your home. You certainly found your calling in interior decorating!

Thanks, Paula

[Laura]

GORGEOUS!! I have tear sheets of your home from a magazine spread a few years ago. As I was following your tour, it clicked that this was the same house that I've had in my home folder and drooled over! One question - what is the color on your front door? Thanks!

[elizabeth]

Thank you so much, Brooke!
That's exactly what I was hoping to see!

[Corbels]

The blue corbels in the entry way look absolutely stunning. You have really done a great job with designing this home.

-Tim

[Barbara Aine Powell]

My goodness, what a glorious home!!! I simply love everything...I think we have very similar taste!!!
One question, my husband and I are getting ready to do our kitchen in our 1897 old towne meeting hall. The space is rather small as it is one of the prompting rooms to the side of the stage and the other side of the stage is another room I use as a pantry. I just decided I wanted to do carrera marble as the counter top and wonder how you like it. I have always wanted marble and I found a sample piece left over from another project in the house. I knew it would need to be honed rather than polished but, do you need to be extra careful in order to preserve it's beauty?

[gina]

Your home is stunning. What a terrific post. I noticed the grasscloth it looks like a Ralph Lauren. Thanks for sharing your home with us and giving us all a bit of inspiration.

[Luphia]

wow brooke, i've been waiting for this post, so glad it's finally here. where do i start, your whole house is just so beautiful, elegant, stylish, classy and warm, if i had to pick favorites, i have to say I LOVE the cozy seating area, your kitchen, the massive antique clock (so stunning!) and your bedroom is just a dream, it's so pretty it's like from a fairytale!

xx

[callie grayson]

beautiful home brooke! i hope my home turns out as cosy as yours.
callie

[Puna]

Oh my goodness what a beautiful home! Straight out of a magazine. It's so cozy, it's something I really want to impart in my own decorating. You do it so well! Thank you so much for letting us in.

[urban grace interiors]

Oh MY! Brooke, it is SOOOO beautiful! Totally you! Totally comfortable, but gorgeous at the same time! BRAVO! Thanks for sharing it with us!
Erika

[Melli]

Dear Brooke -

Thank you so much for inviting us in! I love to see what designers do with their own spaces!

Quick question - on the shelves in the family room with all of the starfish and seashells - are the bowls displayed there capiz? I love the texture mixed in with the sea life.

Melinda

[artfulife]

It looks so warm and inviting. Love all the details. My favorite thing, the bluish green antique corner molding. Love it all.

[Renae]

Oh Brooke...so lovely just as you are...I have a new bottle of champage...I'll be right over!
Making a home takes time and years of finding treasures...we have moved so many times during my husband's 30 years in the military and see at least one more in our future...I am so ready to know that the home I am making will be for longer than a couple of years. It makes a tremendous difference when you are decorating!
Blessings....

[A-M]

My heart has stopped! A-M xx

[Cara]

I've followed your blog for a while now, Joni's as well! Your home is lovely, and you've given me permission to get a sectional! Thanks for sharing!
Can't wait for more...

[cathy]

Wow I think I have died and gone to decorating heaven this is your most gorgeous post!!!! Oh my where do I start to compliment all the gorgeous features.....I think my favourite is the image Time to go upstairs oh so lovely!!!!!Kitchen in just divine and all the details in the doorways are amazing!!! Oh so much inspiration.... thank you, thank you I really needed to look at something so lovely this morning before starting my day...Love Cathy xx