Velvet & Linen

worth avenue and major alley in palm beach, and a good housekeeping surprise!

Before I begin this post, Steve and I would like to thank Good Housekeeping for featuring us in their March 2012 "Your Good House" supplement!

Good Housekeeping Magazine has been a part of my life since I was a little girl. To see our homes and Patina Style on the pages of this iconic magazine is really surreal!

A special " thank you" to Good Housekeeping Merchandising Editor, Brooke Glassberg, for her fantastic article. She really captures the essence of our work.

To read the entire 6 page article, please pick up a copy of the March 2012 issue.

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To end our trip to Palm Beach, Steve, Penelope Bianchi (whose birthday is today. Happy Birthday Penny!!!), and I spent some time admiring the Mediterranean Revival Architecture of Addison Mizner.

Since we only had a few short hours, we decided to head to Worth Avenue in the heart of Palm Beach.

Ok, this will be the one and only time you see my legs on Velvet and Linen! I had to share this picture, because it captures my relationship with Penny so well... she tells fascinating stories (she is living such an interesting life!), and I listen and try to take it all in. 

 

Now onto the beauty created by Addison Mizner... As always, we seem to focus on the details...

 

incredibly detailed ironwork....

 

 

wood beam  andwindow details...

 

ornate lanterns hanging in a colonade...

 

stone and plaster work...

 

different style roof tiles as decorative balconies...

 

decorative windows and lighting...

 

 

classic, ageless architectural details!

 

There is a magical combination of excellent architecture and landscape in the courtyards of Worth Avenue.

 

 

As we came to the end of Worth Avenue, we crossed over to the next street, Peruvian Avenue and stumbled upon an architectural surprise. 

 

The charming, historic, Major Alley is definitely worth seeing.

Designed by Architect Howard Worth, this little group of attached residences were inspired by Bermuda architecture.

 

The white roof tile is a striking detail. 

 

Again, the details, like this iron grape vine door bell, add charm and character.  

 

 

Major Alley is illuminated by beautiful lanterns.

 

 

We walked past the small garage door to the shared courtyard entrance...

 

A beautifully landscaped walkway greets all visitors.

 

 

The mismatched doors surrounded by lush bouganvilla only add to the allure of Major Alley.

 

 

A simple, rusty industrial light hangs over an aging paneled door to residence #6.

 

 

Large shutters protect the interior spaces from the tropical sun.

 

To see more images of Major Alley, please visit Bridge Marsh Architects.

Thank you for coming with us to Palm Beach, just in time for the weekend. 

Steve and I are going to spend the weekend finalizing some selections for Patina Farm. Leila is going snowboarding, the boys have made their own plans, so we will have  some free time to focus on some important design decisions. I hope to share them with you next week!

Until then, I hope you have a couple of relaxing days!

xo 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 & Linen via email click here.

To follow Velvet & Linen on Facebook click here.

To follow me on Pinterest click here 

Please visit the Patina Style Barnes and Noble page or Amazon page  to order our new book.

Signed Copies of Patina Style are available through Giannetti Home.

 All images are the property of Giannetti Home and can not be used without permission.

 

the beauty of palm beach, a thank you, and time with friends...

It was a packed week here at the Giannetti's. We're busily getting our house ready to put on the market for sale in March on top of everything else (working, looking at Ojai schools for the kids, etc...)!

I did take some fun time off to spend with two of the design blog world's favorite people: Interior Designer and Blogger Mary Ann Pickett from "Classic Casual Home" and one of the most well known (and loved) design blog commentors  Linda "from Arizona"!  

Linda treated us to a delicious lunch at the Ivy Restaurant. Afterwards, Mary Ann and Linda were kind enough to get a little wet in the rain so I could visit Exquisite Surfaces to look at some fireplace mantels and stone floor options for Patina Farm.

Thank you both for a wonderful day!

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I apologize that it has taken me so long to finish sharing our trip to Palm Beach with you!

Steve and I had so much fun at our Patina Style book signing at Lars Bolander's store. My friend Marsha Koch and her design partner, Ellie stopped by...

 

Heather from Lost in Arles was kind enough to send her lovely friends Sonny and Michael to meet us. They recently moved to Florida from France. Michael called Heather in Provence, and we all had a wonderful chat. 

 

Steve, our dear friend Penelope Bianchi and I  spent the rest of the day shopping on Antique Row. We certainly didn't have to go far to find beautiful antiques. We spent quite a bit of time admiring the pieces at Wilson Antiques , located across the street from Lars Bolander's studio.

I've never seen so many stunning light fixtures in one place!

This antique leather wing chair had beautiful details.

 

A trio of metal hat molds were artistically hung on the wall. 

 

Steve and I admired all of the beautiful finishes.

 

 

 

This wooden architectural fragment almost came home with me. I can see it above my bed at Patina Farm...

 

 Small hints of gilding could be found around the shop.

 

 

Two antique wood panels would make perfect twin headboards.

 

Antique wood doors were hung on the white walls.

 

All of my favorite elements were present at Wilson Antiques, including antique textiles in blues and greens...

 

limestone mantels, metal urns...

 

painted doors...

 

and Italian chandeliers.

 

Behind the store, we discovered a secret garden, filled with architectural elements.

 

 

 

 

We left Wilson Antiques to visit fellow antique lover and design blogger Jane Schott. Having read Jane's blog Empress of the Eye, I knew that we were in for a treat!

 

The shop where she works (two doors down from Lars Bolander) was wall to wall display inspiration. 

 

 

 

 

Thank you to everyone who came to visit us at Lars Bolander's that day! And a special "Thank You" to Lars and Nadine Bolander and their design and sales team for a beautiful Patina Style Event!

 

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 & Linen via email click here.

To follow Velvet & Linen on Facebook click here.

To follow me on Pinterest click here 

Please visit the Patina Style Barnes and Noble page or Amazon page  to order our new book.

Signed Copies of Patina Style are available through Giannetti Home.

 All images are the property of Giannetti Home and can not be used without permission.

 

happy valentine's day!

 

These beauties were waiting for me this morning from my Valentine!

 

Every Valentine's Day, Steve gives me flowers and a wonderful handwritten note capturing the events of the past year as well as our dreams for the future.

I hope your Valentine's Day is filled with beauty, dreams and the people you love!

 

xo

Brooke

 

visiting lars and nadine bolander in palm beach...

Steve and I are on our way back to Los Angeles after spending several wonderful days with Nadine and Lars Bolander.

 

Our friend, Interior Decorator Penelope Bianchi, was our traveling companion. For those of you who know Penny, you won't be surprised to hear that we didn't stop laughing the entire time!

 

Upon arrival in Palm Beach, the three of us headed directly to the Bolanders' stunning home, where we stayed during our visit.

 

We spent  a few moments admiring the front facade before heading in...

 

Penny and I both want a pair of these dogs!

 

As we walked into the entry, our eyes focus on this life size horse majestically standing in front of a chalky gray wall.

 

A display of carved wood heads hang on the wall to the right of us.  

 

As we walk further down the hallway ,  a curved painted bench is placed underneath an antique carved panel directly across from the entrance to the main living room. 

 

I thought you would enjoy seeing the painted finish of this "to die for" piece. Gorgeous!

 

Propped against the wall, we spot another treasure, a beautifully carved cartouche.

 

As we enter the main living space, we all have the same reaction... Wow! What a visual feast.

 

Every vignette is both elegant and relaxed. 

 

We are surrounded by amazing artwork...

 

 yet we feel immediately comfortable. How does Lars do it?

 

The Bolanders' collection of paintings covers the walls...

 

while their other collections are beautifully displayed on the table tops.

 

 

 

An iron tree, in the foreground, occupies some of the mid level space in the room. 

 

A porch filled with brightly colored furniture is the perfect place to spend time on a warm day in Palm Beach. 

 

A group of large mushroom sculptures  populate this corner. 

 

A  tongue in cheek  painting of Lars gives a hint to his humorous personality. 

 

As we sit on the porch,  we are able to enjoy a view of the pool...

 

and the pool pavillion beyond.

 

A group of wood sculptures appears to be coming out to greet us. 

 

 

 

After our tour of the Bolander residence, we are off to the Lars' studio. 

 

One side of the studio is home to the store, filled with magnificient furnishings selected by Lars. 

 

 

 

Petrified tree stumps make unique side tables, the perfect place to rest a drink. 

 

A fun picture of Lars and Martha makes me wonder....

 

might Lars put this picture in the studio? LOL! Ok, maybe not...

 

After we admire this materials board for Imoto Restaurant, a recent project that Lars is designing, Lars offered to give us a tour...

 

 

It was so much fun to see the material selections in the actual space. 

 

 

The fantastic art is the work of Nadine Bolander!

 

The colors and composition of each piece is a testament to Nadine's talent. 

 

 

 

For more information about Nadine's artwork, please contact the Lars Bolander showroom. 

 

We are about to arrive in Los Angeles, so I'll have to stop here for now. Stay tuned for the rest of our Palm Beach visit!

Thank you to Lars and Nadine Bolander for sharing their inspiring world with us! 

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 & Linen via email click here.

To follow Velvet & Linen on Facebook click here.

To follow me on Pinterest click here 

Please visit the Patina Style Barnes and Noble page or Amazon page  to order our new book.

Signed Copies of Patina Style are available through Giannetti Home.

 All images are the property of Giannetti Home and can not be used without permission.