Velvet & Linen

our chickens...

This post is for those of you who have asked for a chicken update.

Let's start at the beginning...

It all began about 6 months ago when I had the brilliant idea that we needed to raise chickens. Steve did some research and discovered that we could have up to 12 hens as long as we didn't have any roosters. Wonderful. Fresh eggs were just months away!

So Steve, Leila and I took the hour and a half drive to Amber Waves Farm, where Jim and Debbie raise miniature goats and fluffy Bantam chickens.

We randomly chose 6 adorable chicks to bring home with us, hoping that  2 to 4 of them would be hens. 

 

The one week old chicks lived in our pool bathroom shower for a little over a month. 

As the chicks got older we let them explore the garden.

When they were about 2 months old, they were ready to live in their coop.

The chickens became part of our family. 

They kept me company while I tended to the kitchen garden.

I couldn't have been happier.

Our quiet life with our chickens hit a bump when the chicks were about 3 months old. One early morning both of the black chickens started crowing. Loudly! Apparently they were roosters. We quickly made an appointment to take them back to Amber Waves. 

We brought home two little brown girls...

who bonded with our four white chickens. 

We were one big happy family again until this chicken started crowing last week.

Unfortunately he looked very similar to this one...

and this one.

Even the brown chickens were starting to grow something on top of their beaks. Could they be roosters too?

The only chicken that looked different was Henrietta. But it was impossible to only have one hen out of 8 chickens. Right? There was only one way to find out...

We decided to pack up all of our 6 chickens for another visit to Jim at Amber Waves. Jim doesn't look too happy. Yes, 5 of our 6 chickens were roosters!

With Jim's help, Leila and I chose another 5 chicks. 

Does this one look like a girl? We're keeping our fingers crossed!

Leila was getting a little frustrated. She wanted to give up on chickens and just take home this one day old miniature goat. Do you think our neighbors would notice? 

After convincing Leila that the goat would have to wait until we moved to Patina Farm, we drove home with our 5 new chicks. They seem to like their new home in our coop. 

Henrietta is getting used to her new role as Mama Hen.

So here we go again! Please send your positive "hen" thoughts our way...

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.

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

 

big daddy's antiques moving sale...

I'm so excited that my friend Shane, aka "Big Daddy" is moving his Los Angeles warehouse to  nearby Culver City.  To celebrate the move, Shane has decided to have a HUGE SALE! 

When it comes to Big Daddy's Antiques a picture is worth a million words. Shane has fantastic eye. He creates amazing vignettes made up of the unique pieces he finds during his travels around the world. 

Shane loves architectural pieces as much as I do. The patina on these paneled doors is divine!

Shane composes vignettes with industrial pieces and European antiques.

The greenery adds color to the mainly neutral pieces in the warehouse.

I love the combination of the ornate mirrors against the more rustic wood paneled wall.

One of Shane's collections of dogs adds a whimsical touch.

An unexpected grouping of miniature pink roses sits on top of a worn wood table.

More vintage dogs placed on one of Shane's metal industrial tables.

The songs of Shane's many birds fill the air in the warehouse. 

These vintage wood weights would look wonderful displayed on a table or bookcase.

Big Daddy's warehouse is filled with interesting one of a kind light fixtures. 

A perfectly aged vintage clock face makes a dramatic art piece hanging on the gray wood wall. 

A worn harp case becomes beautiful when Shane uses it in a display. 

This is one of my favorite pieces at Big Daddy's. 

I always find fantastic mirrors when I visit.

I admired this display of old pins.

A slightly tarnished tuba rests on a tufted leather couch. 

Isn't she beautiful!

My pictures really don't do Big Daddy's justice. You really must see it for yourself, and during the sale is the perfect time to bring a little Big Daddy beauty home with you! The sale is going on now until the end of June.

Big Daddy's Antiques

13100 South Broadway

Los Angeles, Ca 90061

(310) 769-6600

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.

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

 

 

sunday morning at the flea market...

Walking down the aisles at a flea market is one of my favorite Sunday morning activities.

I always get inspired by the creative ways the dealers display their unique merchandise. Last Sunday, I discovered a stall designed by "The Brothers of Industry" 

Like my husband, the Brothers see the beauty in simple objects, like this collection of shells and set of wooden rulers. 

Splashes of natural green were dramatic pops of color against the many galvanized metal bins and shelves. 

A grouping of vintage alarm clocks were placed on a worn wood table.



I could imagine these bottles  filled with small bouquets of wild flowers.

A group of mortars and pestles were set atop shimmery silver boxes.

I liked the relaxed feel of all of their displays. 

In another booth, a set of skittles were waiting for someone to set them up for a game.

One stall was filled with bins of drapery hardware...

and assorted door knobs.

I loved this large collection of feminine silver topped vanity jars.

A  gilded buddha with a serene expression...

was part of  this meditative group.

I'm always drawn to the muddy colors of vintage oil paintings. 

According to the dealer, these paintings were created in the 1950's by a UCLA art professor who was the subject of the self portrait, below.

One of my favorite dealers has a fantastic ability to combine his treasures from around the world to create a completely unique look. 

Skittles from England were displayed next to textiles from Africa.

Displayed together, a collection of vintage metal oil cans became art. 

A colorful child's jacket from China was hung in front of another African textile. 

This pair of small shoes look like they could tell many stories. 

I'd love to hear what you think about the items I saw at the flea. What inspires you?

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.

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

 

 

what we've learned guest blogger: gina milne of willow decor..

Interior Designer Gina Milne's beautiful blog Willow Decor was one of the first design blogs that spoke to me. 

I first felt a connection to Gina because of our shared love for Swedish antiques and Belgian design...

Gina's Mora Clock is stunning!

As I became an avid follower of Gina's blog, I was so impressed by her own projects that she shared with her readers. When Gina revealed her pantry remodel, where she turned this....

into this gorgeous space, I was just amazed! 

What a lovely place to work!

You must visit Gina's blog to see her kitchen remodel. I don't know how she ever leaves her home!

I have such admiration and respect for Gina's talent. You can only imagine how thrilled I was when she accepted my request to do a guest blog post for my series "What we've learned". I know you will be inspired by Gina's tips as much as I was!

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As a huge fan of Velvet and Linen I was so excited when Brooke asked to me participate in her “What We’ve Learned” feature. I have been writing Willow Décor since early 2008 and over the years I have seen a common thread of what really works in decorating. It was difficult to narrow it down but here are my top three tips. 

1. Paint Can Transform!

Whether it is a room, floor or a piece of furniture, there are thousands of examples out there.   I am sure you have heard it this countless times – but the fact is that paint remains the most impactful and least expensive decorating tool.

Above is photo of my beach house before with dirty soot covered fireplace and dated knotty pine walls.

And the after – just a few cans of primer and paint and we go  from dreary to beachy.

Of course you are not limited to painting walls – floors, like the one above, can also add incredible and inexpensive impact.

2.    Choose Accessories with a Sculptural Quality or Patina!

Go for accessories that are unique but also have a beautiful sculptural quality like this Burlieghware breadbox from Stonewall Kitchen.

Look how beautiful it looks displayed in this pantry.

Another favorite are accessories with patina like these antique vellum books.

Image via Rose Tarlow

Look at how much depth and warmth they add to this bookcase.  

3.    Learn from and Emulate the Greats!

image via Catalano Architects

The internet is such a wonderful resource. We have access to so many talented interior designers and architects.  So many of them have websites that you can access, as well as areas where you can browse their portfolios.

  image via Suzanne Kasler

Many also have blogs which offer incredible tips of the trade.  Read, explore and bookmark those styles which resonate with you.

image via Suzanne Kasler

Over the years I have had the great opportunity to meet several of my design idols and learn about many others.  I have found all of them to be very generous in providing information to me about rooms that a client or l love. It’s been my experience that Designers and Architects are always willing to share. It’s a wonderful community!

Of course one of my all time favorite spots for learning and eye candy is Velvet and Linen!  I love Brooke’s gorgeous style and wonderful design insights.  I am a better designer because Brooke has been so generous and forthcoming with advice and information. She has always been such an inspiration to me. It’s been such a thrill to part of this! Thank you so much Brooke!!

xox Gina

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Thank you so much Gina! To view more of Gina's work and to see what inspires her designs, please visit her at Willow Decor!

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.

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