Podcast, Ep. 317: Patina Meadow with the Giannettis – Pt. 1

Steve Giannetti

Steve Giannetti and his son Nick Giannetti

Join us for an exciting episode as we welcome back Steve Giannetti, the renowned design partner of a celebrated husband and wife duo. Known for their bestselling books and influential blog, the Giannettis have recently embarked on a transformative journey involving their three children in the world of design.

In part one of this two part series, Steve and his son Nick share their insights into the evolving Giannetti universe and the exciting developments that have unfolded in their lives over the past four years including the move from Ojai, CA to a huge space in Tennessee.

Patina Meadow

From Steve and Brooke Giannetti’s “Patina Farm”

What You’ll Hear On This Episode:

  • How did the Patina brand start?
  • The decision to move to Tennessee from the original Patina Farm in Ojai, and embrace a life with even more land, making the cows and donkeys even happier.
  • The inspiration for design that Steve got from his parents, including helping him never live in an ugly place – even the college dorm!
  • The shorthand that Nick brings when working with the family in many things, the ability to use VR and 3D to create custom spaces.
  • The difference of designing the farms in California vs designing the Leiper’s Fork log cabins in Tennessee.
  • The concept of designing the space with an intent to provide community offerings and experiences.
  • How to know when a project is done and just right, or if you still have a way to go.
  • Some tips and tricks for getting your windows and panels looking beautiful.

Decorating Dilemma:

Hi Ladies,

Thank you so much for your amazing podcast!  I feel like I have found “my people” every time I listen.  I have a design dilemma.  Recently my neighbor had a large tree removed that provided our family room with much appreciated shade from the bright (and hot!) afternoon sun.  My family room is now flooded with so much light it can be uncomfortable from noon until evening (not to mention it shows every streak on my glass door and every scuff on my wood floor).

My question is: if I install drapes for the large french slider, must I also install them on the adjacent wall that has the three casement windows to make it look balanced and put together?  The three windows do not receive much light as they are north facing and share a wall with an outdoor covered patio area.  If I should install drapes for these windows, do they each need their own rod/panels or could I act as if they are one large unit and have a long rod with two panels?  Lastly, how high should the rod/s be hung?  I have found a dozen answers to this question on the web but value your opinion.  I absolutely love natural light but the hot afternoon sun in California can be brutal, and the comfort of my family is the most important design consideration I need to make (in this scenario at least).

For reference:

French sliding door is west facing, windows are north facing; Door is 12′ x 8′;  Windows are 3′ x 4-1/2′; The room is 19′ by 20′ with 9′ ceilings; Floor plan is open with kitchen, dining and living all in the same general area My home is small and this is where the family gathers for everything.

Warmly,

Kelly

Kelly,

One of Steve’s valuable tricks when approaching design questions is to first evaluate if we’re addressing the right problem.

Rather than jumping straight to solutions like window treatments or drapes, it’s essential to understand the underlying issue. For instance, in a situation where sunlight is too intense, replacing drapes with a willow cover outside the doors might recreate the desired soft, dappled light. By focusing on solving the light-related concern, we can explore options like lightweight iron structures with Willow fencing to create a Provence-inspired atmosphere.

Additionally, considering shears or Roman shades for smaller windows can complement the overall aesthetic without obstructing the light. Ultimately, it’s crucial to prioritize addressing the quality of light in the space rather than solely relying on window treatments.

Sincerely,

How to Decorate

Also Mentioned in This Episode:

Please send in your questions so we can answer them on our next episode! And of course, subscribe to the podcast in Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. You can always check back here to see new episodes, but if you subscribe, it’ll automatically download to your phone.

Happy Decorating!

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Kelley Bostian

Kelley enjoys a light and livable home and is always searching for that perfect finishing touch. Here on How to Decorate, it's his goal to help you bring your own unique design vision to life.

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