Velvet & Linen

patina farm: shutter inspiration...

Steve and I are planning to start designing our home this weekend, so I've been reviewing my huge stack of images looking for common design elements.

One of the details that I've noticed is that many of the rooms in the images I saved are lacking draperies. It was only until I really started analyzing these rooms that I realized how much I like interior shutters. 

Image via Desde my Ventana

I know this seems like an odd thing to be focusing on at this early stage of the design process, but if we decide to use interior shutters on some of our windows I'd like to thicken the walls. I love the way these shutters lay against the inside walls.

image via Desde my Ventana

I like the idea of keeping the walls white and adding a hint of chalky color on the shutters. 

image via Desde my Ventana

Since we won't begin building our home for a year or so, I have the luxury of having some time to find a few wonderful antique shutters.

image via Desde my Ventana

I'm leaning toward simple paneled shutters with slightly rustic hardware. Louvered shutters seem a little too fussy.

The walls don't necessarily have to be as thick as the ones in the picture above. We could use folding shutters...

image via Belgian Pearls

image via Belgian Pearls

Most likely we will use interior shutters on just a couple of windows and design the rest of the windows and doors to include exterior shutters.

image from Demeures de Campagne

image from Demeures de Campagne

All of the shutters (inside and outside) will be the gray blue color of the antique shutter I found at Charme d'Antan.

The shutters will provide privacy and black out where ever necessary. Inside, the window treatments will be simple linen draperies on thin iron rods, similar to this image of my favorite steel door.

image from French Country Living

Do you have shutters are your home?

I look forward to reading your comments! 

 

xo

Brooke

If you would like help creating the home of your dreams, email me about our design services. You can also purchase many items found here on Velvet and Linen as well as "to the trade" furnishings through Giannetti Home. Email Kelly about the details.

 To Subscribe to Velvet and Linen click here.

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Please visit our Amazon page to pre-order our new book, Patina Style.

 

our chicken garden...

We had another rainy weekend here in sunny California. I took advantage of the few sunny moments we had to take some pictures of our completed chicken garden. 

We just finished building this new fence and trellis that protect our chickens from any unwanted visitors. 

Eventually the fence will weather to a nice soft gray. 

I'm hoping that I can train some of this wisteria vine to wind its way through the trellis.

On the other side of the gate, the chickens are free to roam...

The chickens ate all of the ground cover in a matter of weeks, so we covered their garden with gravel. 

My industrial cabinet from A Beautiful Mess found its permanent home here  in our chicken garden. It works perfectly for storing all of my chicken supplies. 

The chickens don't nibble on the existing camellias and calla lillies. Yay!

The bower vine will cover the trellis with white trumpet flowers in the summer. 

Unfortunately we had to return our two black chickens to the farm when we realized they were roosters (no roosters allowed in Santa Monica!). We brought two new brown girls home with us and are slowly introducing them into the flock.

Our birch trees provide shade for the chicks during the day.

I planted a few more large white camillia bushes in the garden, once I realized that the chickens weren't interested in eating them.

There is plenty of space for the chicks to dig and play in their garden.

My new Ilse Jacobsen rain boots that I purchased from Monika at Splendid Willow Avenue have definitely come in handy during these recent rain storms! 

No, Monika isn't an advertiser on my website... I just love my boots and wanted to let you know :)

I thought you might enjoy seeing a video of our Chicken Garden! For my email subscribers, please click here to go to the post on Velvet and Linen, if you can't view my video in the email post.

 

I also want to congratulate my dear friend and mentor Penny Bianchi and her husband Adam, on the hatching of their new ducklings! 

xo

Brooke

If you would like help creating the home of your dreams, email me about our design services. You can also purchase many items found here on Velvet and Linen as well as "to the trade" furnishings through Giannetti Home. Email Kelly about the details.

 To Subscribe to Velvet and Linen click here.

To Become a Fan of Velvet and Linen on Facebook click here. 

 

Please visit our Amazon page to pre-order our new book, Patina Style.

fifi...

I'd like to introduce you to Fifi, the latest addition to the Giannetti Home furniture family.

 

Fifi is a lovely little French inspired chair that can be upholstered in any fabric, including vintage French monogramed linen.

To get to know Fifi a little better please email Kelly at the shop :)

Do you love using vintage textiles on your upholstery as much as I do?

I'd love to hear what you think of Fifi! 

xo

Brooke

If you would like help creating the home of your dreams, email me about our design services. You can also purchase many items found here on Velvet and Linen as well as "to the trade" furnishings through Giannetti Home. Email Kelly about the details.

 To Subscribe to Velvet and Linen click here.

To Become a Fan of Velvet and Linen on Facebook click here.

Please visit our Amazon page to pre-order our new book, Patina Style.

 

garden umbrellas...

Last summer Steve and I traveled up the coast while the kids were away at camp. We took advantage of our child free time and explored the Alameda Antique and Collectible Fair . One of our favorite finds was a pair of rusty umbrellas. I wasn't sure what to do with them but they were too wonderful to leave behind...

Last week I finally placed them in the garden. 

Next to each one I planted a large white  floribunda rose vine...

 with images of blooms winding through the rusty arms by mid summer.

They sit on either side of my bird house, which will be filled with new foliage soon!

Next to my umbrellas I've planted kumquat trees. Underneath my little trees I've covered the earth with lime colored oregano.

My strawberries plants are starting to bear fruit in my raised beds...

I thought this was a lime tree, but it seems just as confused as I am!

My lavender plants add a hint of Provence to my garden.

The forecast predicts rain for the next several days, so the chicks enjoyed a few hours of fun before the rain began!

No matter what the forecast, the chicks and I hope your week is sunny!

xo

Brooke

If you would like help creating the home of your dreams, email me about our design services. You can also purchase many items found here on Velvet and Linen as well as "to the trade" furnishings through Giannetti Home. Email Kelly about the details.

 To Subscribe to Velvet and Linen click here.

To Become a Fan of Velvet and Linen on Facebook click here.

 

Please visit our Amazon page to pre-order our new book, Patina Style.