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Patina Farm
The husband and wife team behind Giannetti Home welcome readers into their gorgeous farm residence blending modern style with French antiques. When Brooke and Steve Giannetti decided to leave their suburban Santa Monica home to build a new life on a farm, they traveled to Belgium and France for design inspiration. In Patina Farm they share their collaborative process, as well as the enviable result of their team effort and an idyllic farm in California’s Ojai Valley. With two hundred gorgeous photographs and Steve’s architectural drawings, Brooke takes readers through their inspirations, thought process, and materials selections. Readers are given a full tour of the family home, guesthouse, lush gardens, and delightful animal quarters.
243 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2016
230 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
March 1, 2021
2.5 rounded up
Eh, I had such such high hopes for this book. Don’t get me wrong, this home is beautiful and the images in the book are outstanding. The Patina Farm was well thought out and execution of each design principle has been successful. So why the low rating?
What started out as a journey into the Giannetti farm quickly turned into a pretentious, unwelcomed feeling. Look, I get it, these lovely people have way more moola than the average folk and I’m okay with that. They have had the good fortune to either travel the world and/or the ability to find incredible antique pieces locally. About a quarter of the way in, I shifted my thinking to try and glean as much as I could just by the inspiration of how they created their home but page after page of reading about every window having a garden view, every floor matching the outside to create a seamless look with the garden, every swedish/italian/french antique piece, blah, blah, blah. It was too much. It began to feel less like a home and more like they were curating a museum. Especially bothersome was the numerous references to the curtains for storing all ‘the necessary things’ they didn’t want people to see. I guess I would have to do that too but felt it unnecessary to explain it more than once. Hello, we get it.
I ended up skimming over the images for the last third of the book. It’s out of my league, admittedly so, but beautiful nonetheless. They certainly have incredible ideas for incorporating white, wood, brick, marble, leather and other textures into a space. I loved the “Hogwarts” leather book display on the narrow staircase and the beautiful wood floors, as well as some of the incredible views. It is surely a private sanctuary! In the end, it just left me feeling cold and disconnected rather than warm and welcomed in their home.
However, I have to say that although (for me) it lacks in some areas, the size and gorgeous cover is worth making this a coffee table book if you’re looking for a display piece.
Eh, I had such such high hopes for this book. Don’t get me wrong, this home is beautiful and the images in the book are outstanding. The Patina Farm was well thought out and execution of each design principle has been successful. So why the low rating?
What started out as a journey into the Giannetti farm quickly turned into a pretentious, unwelcomed feeling. Look, I get it, these lovely people have way more moola than the average folk and I’m okay with that. They have had the good fortune to either travel the world and/or the ability to find incredible antique pieces locally. About a quarter of the way in, I shifted my thinking to try and glean as much as I could just by the inspiration of how they created their home but page after page of reading about every window having a garden view, every floor matching the outside to create a seamless look with the garden, every swedish/italian/french antique piece, blah, blah, blah. It was too much. It began to feel less like a home and more like they were curating a museum. Especially bothersome was the numerous references to the curtains for storing all ‘the necessary things’ they didn’t want people to see. I guess I would have to do that too but felt it unnecessary to explain it more than once. Hello, we get it.
I ended up skimming over the images for the last third of the book. It’s out of my league, admittedly so, but beautiful nonetheless. They certainly have incredible ideas for incorporating white, wood, brick, marble, leather and other textures into a space. I loved the “Hogwarts” leather book display on the narrow staircase and the beautiful wood floors, as well as some of the incredible views. It is surely a private sanctuary! In the end, it just left me feeling cold and disconnected rather than warm and welcomed in their home.
However, I have to say that although (for me) it lacks in some areas, the size and gorgeous cover is worth making this a coffee table book if you’re looking for a display piece.
December 26, 2022
Few of us will ever be fortunate enough to live in a home in Ojai, and I would be content to live in their guest house. The home and gardens are beautiful, well-designed and unfussy. Though, there didn’t seem to be many drawers or shelves to hold one’s belongings or shove the mail.I appreciated the sketches throughout as they give the lay of the land and piece together the design elements.
Towards the end they mention that they were inspired by a visit to Mt. Vernon and how they admired Washington and his “self-sustaining farm”, as a gentleman farmer. I see.
Nevertheless, it really was a beautiful book, that captures the best of California design.
Towards the end they mention that they were inspired by a visit to Mt. Vernon and how they admired Washington and his “self-sustaining farm”, as a gentleman farmer. I see.
Nevertheless, it really was a beautiful book, that captures the best of California design.
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July 2, 2024why do rich people like beige so much, jesus christ grow some taste
March 8, 2022
Lovely place. Boring after a while. Not much color. Even the flowers in the garden are deliberately kept to a white, pink pastel color scheme. I think after a while I'd begin to believe my vision was fading.
Lots of expensive-to-get antiques from France, Belgium and Sweden, found and bought there and shipped to California. Not just small decorative stuff, but wardrobes, tallcase clocks, marble sinks and other large, heavy or delicate items.
I hate the use of antique books as Texture. Books are meant to be read, not to be decorative objects. I especially hate the "collection of old leather books in a haphazard 'Hogwarts' display" which I would find depressing.
The interspersed drawings by Steve Giannetti are interesting, but the handwritten comments can be difficult to read. The lower-case u's and n's often look exactly alike.
I'm sure it takes a lot of work and money to create and maintain this soothing sanctuary.
Interesting that they have goats, donkeys and chickens. Who keeps up with the animals' organic deposits?
Overall, it come across as pretentious and condescending toward the majority of us who can't afford this level of spending.
"We find quirky items like the too-steep stair and the too-short door to be important to make a house charming and unique." Really pretentious here. Too-steep stair can be difficult for some people, maybe impossible. And the too-steep stair has no handrail that I can see in the picture. Unsafe.
"We've always told our children that dreams can come true. Yes, their fulfillment requires a lot of hard work and determination, but they are attainable." If you have lots and lots of money.
Lots of expensive-to-get antiques from France, Belgium and Sweden, found and bought there and shipped to California. Not just small decorative stuff, but wardrobes, tallcase clocks, marble sinks and other large, heavy or delicate items.
I hate the use of antique books as Texture. Books are meant to be read, not to be decorative objects. I especially hate the "collection of old leather books in a haphazard 'Hogwarts' display" which I would find depressing.
The interspersed drawings by Steve Giannetti are interesting, but the handwritten comments can be difficult to read. The lower-case u's and n's often look exactly alike.
I'm sure it takes a lot of work and money to create and maintain this soothing sanctuary.
Interesting that they have goats, donkeys and chickens. Who keeps up with the animals' organic deposits?
Overall, it come across as pretentious and condescending toward the majority of us who can't afford this level of spending.
"We find quirky items like the too-steep stair and the too-short door to be important to make a house charming and unique." Really pretentious here. Too-steep stair can be difficult for some people, maybe impossible. And the too-steep stair has no handrail that I can see in the picture. Unsafe.
"We've always told our children that dreams can come true. Yes, their fulfillment requires a lot of hard work and determination, but they are attainable." If you have lots and lots of money.
March 21, 2021
A lovely home peppered through with comments about how the authors searched high and low throughout Europe and paid to have the antiques shipped to their home in California. I’m not talking small antiques you can stick in a suitcase, but old barn doors and marble sinks.
The images are beautiful but this level of living is unattainable for most, which ultimately detracts from the book itself.
Most of their choices were beautiful and classic, but in a few spots the collections just looked cluttered. To each their own, I suppose.
Overall, I’d still recommend it, it was like flipping through Pinterest for a bit.
The images are beautiful but this level of living is unattainable for most, which ultimately detracts from the book itself.
Most of their choices were beautiful and classic, but in a few spots the collections just looked cluttered. To each their own, I suppose.
Overall, I’d still recommend it, it was like flipping through Pinterest for a bit.
March 31, 2018
A lovely picture book of one families homes, set in Ojai, California. There are some background notes about what the couple hoped to achieve through the building of their new country home and their design inspiration ideas.
It's always interesting to see how other people build and what gives them inspiration.
It's always interesting to see how other people build and what gives them inspiration.
June 30, 2017
This is a coffee table book with beautiful photos of a gorgeously decorated Ojai, California farmhouse, but I actually read and enjoyed the text. Her descriptions are interesting, but everything seemed a little too perfect. Still, I loved it and felt more than a little inspired AND envious.
December 20, 2017
A beautiful book, full of inspiration. Leans toward the shabby chic, but the French and Swedish antiques keep the interiors from skewing too twee. Love the pale colors, the use of books as visual elements, the elegant simplicity.
April 10, 2020
A little bit of heaven on earth!
If I could own a farm, this would be it. An amazing vision brought to life by the Giannetti family. If you love design, farming and animals this book is for you. Eye candy extraordinaire!
If I could own a farm, this would be it. An amazing vision brought to life by the Giannetti family. If you love design, farming and animals this book is for you. Eye candy extraordinaire!
February 6, 2021
An absolutely beautiful home you will love being invited in.The owners welcome us in to their home the environment they designed.There are animals to pet gorgeous furniture & styles.A wonderful book to escape your world and enter theirs.
April 28, 2019
Wonderful text, photos, and drawings. A great inspiration to anyone, especially those wanting to try the country life of a small farm.
December 23, 2020
Wonderful and interesting
Love the house and farm designs. Enjoy seeing the house and farm on u tube, as well. Love to have a home like thiers
Love the house and farm designs. Enjoy seeing the house and farm on u tube, as well. Love to have a home like thiers
February 15, 2021
We!! Written
Love!y and inspiring home. Layouts of home design are a nice addition. Like the incorporation of home, garden and animals.
Love!y and inspiring home. Layouts of home design are a nice addition. Like the incorporation of home, garden and animals.
August 1, 2021
vintage loveliness
Wow! What beautiful pieces of art that creates this beautifully crafted home. A showcase of love and craftsmanship that built this work of art!
Wow! What beautiful pieces of art that creates this beautifully crafted home. A showcase of love and craftsmanship that built this work of art!
January 26, 2024
Charming
I love animals and gardens and this book has both. It also shows a lifestyle we would all love. Nature feeds the soul and you feel that in this book. Enjoy!!!
I love animals and gardens and this book has both. It also shows a lifestyle we would all love. Nature feeds the soul and you feel that in this book. Enjoy!!!
June 4, 2024
Beautiful pictures.
September 19, 2024
I've admired this talented couple team for a while and love following their growth and progress. Lots of pics in this book. I'd love to own a print copy.
January 12, 2025
Gorgeous!
Lots of ideas for the common decorator who likes a country French style. Classic elements such as wall plaques, yard planting and more are illustrated.
Lots of ideas for the common decorator who likes a country French style. Classic elements such as wall plaques, yard planting and more are illustrated.
April 30, 2021
So inspiring. Made me miss Southern California so much. :) Gorgeous photos.
February 22, 2022
An enjoyable peek into another world.
September 13, 2016
I felt calm just thumbing tough this lovely book. The photographs are outstanding as is the home and garden design. The architectural sketches are a fine personal touch. This is not the type of home project any of us can ever hope to achieve however there are some excellent tips on how to think through your design elements so they fit your lifestyle and mood.
February 19, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this peaceful book, yes peaceful is the right term. Patina Farm is for anyone interested in exceptional architecture and beautiful interior design. The stunning detail of the architectural drawings and the use of old and sometimes even ancient materials in the new building process of this charming farm inspired me and got my creative juices flowing. Enjoyable!
April 6, 2016
While the pictures were lovely and the text described the design elements used for each room and space in the project it seemed a bit self-edifying rather than luring me into the joy of following the dreams of your heart. The pictures without the text would actually have been more engaging.
February 22, 2016
A picture book with considerable text about a picturesque farm in California. I didn't read the text but looked at the pictures and recognized them as quite nice.
October 20, 2016
Great pictures, great text, but this house is the castle in the Kingdom of Beige.
June 7, 2016
the paintings on page 100 and 103 are the best thing about this book
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews