Patina Green Home & Market Blog

Belgium Brickmaker's Pallets

 

On our last trip to Europe, we were thrilled to stumble across these brick maker's pallet boards from Belgium.  We had seen them laid as gorgeous flooring at one of our favorite design stores in Dallas, Vintage Living by Lisa Luby Ryan.  After seeing her unique use of these planked wood, grey washed boards, we have been keeping our eye out for some of our own.

We currently have 22 boards in stock, which would cover approximately 375 square feet.  Each board measures 45" x 55", or 17sf. 

 

 

 

 

 

We are selling the boards individually, so they could be made into furniture like these dining tables, coffee tables, and planters.

 

 

 

 

 

 Pallets are sold individually for $350 each.

Farther questions about the boards can be answered through my email at patina.green@yahoo.com or by calling the store at 972-548-9141.

 

Historic Holiday Tablescape

 

The first weekend of December has been The Heritage Guild of Collin County Holiday Tour of Homes since 1973.  Every year five or six homes are decorated for Christmas and opened for the annual holiday home tour.   This year, we were asked to decorate the formal spaces of one of the homes on tour, a gorgeous historic Victorian mansion.  

The home had been updated and restored while preserving the original hardwood floors, the detailed woodwork throughout, and the multiple fireplace surrounds.  The home-owner's personal collection of antique furniture acted as a wonderful backdrop for our decor.  

To fit the home's historic interior, we decided to only use classic holiday colors of green, gold, and cream.  We used crystal and mirrors to add sparkle and magic.  We incorporated natural elements like fresh greenery, preserved hydrangeas and blooming winter bulbs to give warmth.  We used vintage found pieces to add character to the formal spaces.  A collection of old brass bugles and french horns hung from the doors as unique swags.  The mantles were decorated with antique gold mirrors, vintage ornaments, addressed postcards, gold tinsel and glass beads.  

We dressed the walls with the home-owner's art collection and mixed in our own antique gold mirrors adorned with glass ornaments hung with citrus seam binding ribbon.

On the dining room table we use gold vanity mirrors as "chargers"under the home-owner's classic holiday dishes.  The center piece was made of a collection of brass "vases" full of fresh greenery, cotton phylica and vintage holiday picks.  On either side of the centerpiece lay a pair of Victorian chandeliers with crystal drops to add some whimsy.  Silvered pine cones, bright green apples and pears reminded us of the season.  

Hope your holidays are filled with merriness, joy, and peace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All Pictures Taken by Wendolin Mercado Photography.

Houston's Hotel Icon

 

 

A few weeks ago, we traveled to Houston to shop Urban Market and we stayed in a wonderful boutique hotel, Hotel Icon.  The hotel is located in downtown in the charming historic district on Main Street.  The building is the former Union National Bank building built in 1911.

Recently, the historic building was given a $35 million renovation designed by San Fransisco based design firm, Candra Scott and Anderson. 

I was so inspired by the mix of vintage and contemporary elements and the unique use of color and pattern, that I wanted to share it with you.

 

 

The 1911 bank building.

 

 

 

 

 

  The charming historic downtown district.

 

 

 

The lobby and historic bank vault doors.

  

 

 

 

The original bank entrance with staircase, chandelier, and fabulous mirrored clock (which now is the hotel's elevators). 

 

 

 

The main floor is grand with architectural details and has been renovated to hold the hotel's restaurant and bar.  

 

 

 

 

The room we stayed in was cozy, classy and chic .  The furniture styles, the paneled walls, the vintage inspired wallpaper, and the marble bathroom were constant reminders of the hotel's past. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In our small room, I was pleasantly surprised to see the use of pattern and color everywhere  . . . 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Holiday Tour of Homes

 
 

Floral arrangement by Jan Barstad and found in Angie's kitchen . . .

 

 

This holiday season, I had the fabulous opportunity to tour a few homes of my friends and clients living here in McKinney.  Their homes were dressed for the season and I was inspired by each of them.  I wanted to share my Christmas tour with you . . .

 

The first house on the tour was the gorgeous home of the Cavalier family.  My dear friend Angie has an incredible eye for detail and knows how to use "shabby" antiques to make her house feel warm and inviting.  The shades of white mixed with vintage silver decor made it magical.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The second home on tour was of the wonderful and inspiring Laura Towery, of Dela Designs.  Laura works as the general contractor and interior designer of incredible homes all over Dallas and surrounding areas, so it was a pleasure to see inside the doors of her own home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The third stop on the tour was the home of Gayle Tate.  She has recently moved into a gorgeous new house and is in the process of making it into her own.  Her home is furnished with a wonderful collection of antique finds which give the new house it's character and uniqueness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The last stop was at Dorie Helsley's home.  Dorie owns the cutest clothing boutique on the McKinney downtown square, Cotton Hearts.  Her home is as wonderful as her store, it was inviting, comfortable, and beautiful.  I enjoyed her collections of antique English dishes and vintage Louis Vuitton . . . and you can only imagine her closet!

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I thought I would end by sharing a few shots of my own home, decorated for the holidays. 

I also want to take a moment to thank you for being a loyal reader of my blog and for all of the continued support at Patina Green.  I wish you all a very merry holiday season and a happy new year!

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

English Architectural Salvage

 

On our recent trip to England, we loaded in our container multiple pieces of old architectural salvage.  House parts and such.  We were thrilled to find many great sources.  My favorite graveyards were full of crates and crates of  stone pavers and bricks that had been removed from old houses, restaurants, and churches.  I could only imagine the character and beauty they would give a room today, if used again. 

 

This is a stack of limestone pavers, perfect for a bathroom floor.

 

hese terra cotta pavers could lay as the patio in your English Garden . . .

 

To some, this just looks like a "pile of bricks" but to me, these would make an incredible back splash in a butler's pantry or wine cellar.

 

 

We found other inspiration in the salvage yards as well.

Wouldn't these chimney pots make fabulous planters?

  
  
 

Imagine what you can do with these parts.  Slate roof tiles . . . terra cotta grates . . . specialty rope trim . . . stacks of seed pots?!

 

There was more, and more  . . .

 

Some of the treasures went home with us, like these beautiful stone Rosette tiles!  We haven't opened our container yet (It is here!), but I am desperately hoping they made the travel with their English moss!

 

 

I borrowed these photos from a recent magazine . . . the floors in these homes reminded me of what we found in the salvage yards.

 

 

 

   

 

 
  
 
 

Modern Home - Vintage Design

When it comes to design, I love mixing the new with the old.  My friend, Angie Cavalier, has an incredible home which showcases this concept perfectly.  The home is only a few years old, and in a McKinney suburban neighborhood, but has the charm of a home you would find in a historic area.  Angie has been collecting "antiques" for many years and has a talent putting them together.  The house is mostly filled with shades of white which has given it a warm and inviting feeling throughout.

My pictures will not do this gorgeous home justice!  Every time I am in the house, I notice something new, a detail that I haven't seen before. 

I find Angie's home to be inspiring and a reason to continue the search for beautiful, unique junk and then use it in a new way.  It is the ultimate showcase of the Patina Green theory, "Buy Old, Make New, Love Again".

The design of the exterior elevation has emphasis on the historic architectural features.

 

I love the wrap around front porch!

 

In the entry, you are greeted by this fabulous old white piano filled with sheets of vintage music paper.

 

The dining room is magical and has some of my favorite vintage furniture finds!

 

I am crazy about this old dining hutch!  The beadboard back-splash and stained countertop give it so much character. 

 

In the kitchen, Angie showcases her incredible collection of old reclaimed tiles as her cook top back-splash.  The kitchen cabinets were designed to resemble the old, and the island is an actual old store counter!

 
 

This antique pine upper cabinet mixes in well with the new cabinets.  Notice that the inside of it has been painted the most beautiful robin's egg blue.

 

This hutch filled with a remarkable collection of ironstone is found in the breakfast nook.

 

The splash of color, a washed green, on the coffee table gives this room a comfortable look.  Definitely a place for her family to gather.

 

Check out the mercury glass collection on the mantle!

 

The sun room is a fresh wash of light, bright and white.  An easy place to imagine reading a book or taking a nap.

 

Wouldn't you just love to be the guest in this guest bedroom?!

 
 
 
 

The master bedroom is calm and soothing with the quiet accents of muted green.

I love the draped bedding which puddles on the floor, very romantic!

 

The master bath must be my favorite room in the house.  The use of the new bath fixtures which resemble the old so well, the honed carrara marble floors, the old mirrors and frames, the free standing claw foot tub, the crystal chandelier, the vintage apothecary bottles  . . .  I could go on and on.
 
 
 
 
 
 
  

The Gardens of Willow Nest

A few weekends ago, we traveled again to the beautiful countryside of Burton, TX.  We stayed in our "home away from home", the Willow Nest B&B. 

The wonderful potting shed and garden that Linda & Ludmil had only begun the last time we stayed, was now in full bloom.  I was again inspired by Ludmil's creations, his unique birdhouses, garden sculptures and iron trellises. 

 The garden veggies and flowers had settled in nicely and were producing like they had been there for years.  It was beautiful.

 

Don't you just want one of these in your backyard?!  The old iron gate and galvanized metal fencing around the garden makes a charming entrance.

 

 

This is a detail of the incredible handmade trellis that surrounds you as you enter the garden.  I can't wait to see it in th fall once the jasmine has continued to grow on it.

 

 

In the center of the garden is another beautiful sculpture handmade by Ludmil.

 

 

His birdhouses continue to amaze me ...

 

 

Check out the morning glory growing on that large trellis!  When we were there a few months ago, the flowers had just been planted!!  They must be happy in their new garden home!

 

 

One early morning, I found myself in the garden greeted by the beautiful open morning glory flowers.

 

 

Large sunflowers were in full bloom and had been planted around the perimeter of the garden fence.

 

 

We took some ripe tomatoes home with us ... they were delicious!

 

 

Check out that baby bell pepper!

 

 

I just loved Linda's pink flowers in old buckets . . .

 

 

Finally, (I couldn't resist!) the neighboring cow Patches, greeted us as we came and went throughout the weekend.

Staying at the Willow Nest B&B is always a treat.  When we left and headed back to our busy city life, we felt refreshed and inspired.

Honeybee Workers

“It takes honeybee workers ten million foraging trips to gather enough nectar to make one pound of honey.”

-Bees of the World,

The Secret Life of Bees.

 

We went on a foraging trip this past weekend… gathering “nectar” from all our friends at Round Top Big Red Barn sale.  And what fun we had shopping (of course) but also seeing friends that we now consider “our people”, our family.  What fortunate ladies we are to be embraced in this small world of passionate, kind and giving individuals.

 

Our trip started with a wonderful stay at Linda and Ludmil’s new “Willow Nest Inn” in Burton...if you get the chance to make reservations and stay there (you may not because we booked it for the next ten years!), you won’t want to leave.  It’s everything we shop for – complete with price tags just in case you want to take a little Willow Nest home with you.  They have put together a “nest” that any mama bird would be proud of.  We felt like little chicks – all comfortable and warm and safe and excited to see what we might find in this new world.  Thank you Linda and Ludmil for creating such a special place.

 

It was great to see Judy & Bill Hill.  They always set the standard for “Best of Show” in our opinion.  We found some great finds at Melanie and Brian’s  booth, and met new friends from Ennis that had fabulous gardening finds and can load a trailer with only inches to spare!  We bought the fabulous architectural table from Linda and Ludmil’s booth that I have lusted after ever since I saw it in a magazine article that had pictures of their home in Washington. Of course, Peg with French Vanilla (had her beautiful display of French and Vanilla items that only she can find.  And then there’s Theresa, queen of blog world...with all of her unique finds.

Thanks to all “our people” for making a successful foraging trip – we indeed came away with a pound of honey...a full trailer and a full heart!  What more can one ask for!

Pictures of the Willow Nest B&B are below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This picture is of Spice who lives in the neighboring pasture next to the B&B.  She put smiles on our faces.