Obsessed with circles at the moment,
what a lovely joybuzz to discover artist
Margaret Boozer
and her gorgeous installations
of dirt cookies and steel.
(This joybuzz word...I think I made it up,
and I think I'll keep it for awhile.)
Boozer's Red Dirt Studio in Mt. Ranier, Maryland
has behind it a pit of red clay she accesses
to create sculptures emphasizing the natural
texture of the material as it dries and cracks.
Isn't this fascinating?
Lobby - 2121 K Street, Washington D.C.
From This Distance: Djibouti
I can't get enough of the concentric beauty.
Some of her intriguing commissions live in
embassies far from her native Alabama.
Dirt for Dubai
Tables created for Darryl Carter's store opening in 2012
She has worked with
Darryl Carter
on
multiple design projects.
Chandelier - private residence
The tones of this piece at left are perfection.
You Cannot Step Twice
Smoky Horizon + Lavender Earth
Whether it nurtures the seed,
firmly supports a tree,
or becomes a muse
for a talented ceramicist,
isn't dirt lovely?
Peace to you right where you are.
Swedish style is as relevant as ever for good reason...
find 20 glimpses of Scandinavian sensibility below.
1. (image above)
Classic elements when pared down feel modern.
(Vintage elements need not be peel-y or dusty!)
2.
Restful palettes are not always boring.
3.
Simple light fixtures.
(See: farmhouse pendants adjacent to the living room.)
4.
Light, bright kitchens.
(Stainless appliances can be a reflective friend to light.)
5.
Smart-beautiful book storage.
(A few shallow shelves and...boom.)
6.
The Unexpected can work.
(See: prickly desert treasure paired with ethereal prints.)
7.
Warm married with cool tones.
8.
Bold art that avoids assaulting the senses.
9.
Brilliant geometry!
10.
Muted rosy pinks and feminine blushes.
11.
Artful vignettes which don't feel contrived for Pinterest.
12.
Gentle, one-off approach to space limitations.
(Float books on the walls.)
13.
Unadorned wood cabinetry.
14.
Streamlined spaces can work for a crowd.
15.
A passion for a spare aesthetic.
16.
Elegance + Serenity = Sigh.
17.
Pops of warm gold with cool greys.
18.
Precisely the right pop of clutter.
19.
Folksy printed textiles.
20.
Rustic wood floors, painted or naked.
Is it any wonder so many of us are drawn
to Swedish sensibilities?
Peace to you right where you are.
Their lovely new book Patina Farm
tells the storyof how Steve and Brooke Giannetti dreamed
a picturesque Ojai property into existence,
incorporating all of their favorite things.
hPatina Farm
(my photo)Yesterday, I chatted with Brooke and Steve
to get the inside scoop on the new book
and learn more about:
their passion for materials that age artfully,
their preference for quiet color palettes,
and how they created Patina Farm
to fit them as a family.
Photographs by Lisa Romerein from Patina Farm, reprinted by permission of Gibbs Smith
Prepare for breathlessness with each page turn, friends!
I love this genius decision to employ linen
panels (above) in the dressing room in lieu of
doors or open clothing storage.
Not only are they beautifully functional,
they reinforce the un-fussy style
and intent to welcome in the natural
beauty of the outdoors.
Love their upholstered pieces? Visit their shop!
Wouldn't this be an amazing space to start the day?
I love how Old World influences marry beautifully with minimalist design
Brooke explained they were economical with
space for the interiors at Patina Farm--no extra
rooms for the Giannettis--who chose to forgo
formal living and dining rooms.
Who would guess this is a new property?
Steve is an artist who knows his way around space and light,
and Brooke is masterful with materials and setting the mood,
so together they are a balanced creative dream team.
Architect Steve Giannetti's sketches grace the book and are a testament to his artistry.
Patina Farm
photographs by Lisa RomereinConcerning the timelessness of their designs,
I was not surprised to hear they have
no interest in trends.
"We select pieces that speak to us,
and they move room to room."
Since the decor flows so seamlessly,
loved objects easily rotate.
Brooke calls her palette "happy" and derived from
the landscape with its muted golds, greys, and neutrals.
It's a harmonious color scheme intentionally
evoking calm since the world of work can be
everything but.
"When we get home, we want it to be peaceful."
Patina Farm
is more than a single farmhouse;there are outbuildings, gardens, and seating areas
like the one above where I can imagine sipping
fresh lemonade and engaging in farm-speak
about the goats' grazing habits.
the new book! (my photo)
Don't get me started on Brooke's office at
Patina Farm or the fact it has a porch
upon which sits a goat house
built by Steve
where goats may hang.
Because that is definitely the coolest office ever.
If you have been following Brooke's journey on her blog
Velvet and Linen, then you know how much her critters
mean to her, and she tells me the goats now spend lots
of time with the donkeys who tolerate them. Ha!
I could get used to your horizontal pupils, holy goat trinity.
On Brooke's recommendation, I chose the identical fireclay sink she has at Patina Farm.
You know I spend all my cash on books,
but if you buy just one design book in 2016,
Patina Farm
should be it!Photographer Lisa Romerein hits it out of the park.
Then, you should mosey on over to the
Giannetti's L.A. shop for an autograph!
Peace to you right where you are.
