Home*Style: Inside the Home of Grace Bonney, Founder of Design*Sponge

Brooke Giannetti, renowned interior designer, author, and owner of Patina Home & Garden, recently relocated from Ojai, California, to Leipers Fork, Tennessee, with her architect husband, Steve Giannetti. Her move to the South marks a new chapter for the design guru, who brings her distinctive 'Patina Style' aesthetic and a collection of animals to her new home. This style, articulated in her first book, emphasizes natural materials that beautifully age, incorporating antiques, natural textiles like linen, velvet, and leather, and reclaimed building materials to imbue projects with depth and a sense of history. Giannetti's design philosophy embraces the beauty of imperfection and the stories that aged items tell. The relocation was prompted by Steve Giannetti's work on a 450-acre property near Leipers Fork seven years prior. The couple was captivated by the natural beauty and close-knit community of the area, eventually finding their own 100-acre property in October 2022. This move was driven by a desire to slow down and create a unique living and working environment. Their new property, Patina Meadow, includes an 1850s log cabin that they initially planned to renovate as a temporary residence while building a new home. However, they fell in love with the cabin's character and decided to make it their permanent dwelling, appreciating its 175-year-old log walls and the personality they embody. Patina Home & Garden, Giannetti's retail shop in Leipers Fork, reflects her design aesthetic by offering a curated selection of items. The store features rustic European antiques from countries like Sweden, France, Belgium, and England. The home goods available are inspired by these antiques, providing unique pieces across various price points to ensure accessibility for different budgets. Current favorites include AquaVireo Belgian Linen napkins and placemats with frayed edges in nature-inspired colors, and the full Linnea soy candle collection, known for its natural ingredients. Additionally, the Farm Shop within Patina Home & Garden offers healthy food options from local vendors, such as baked goods from Sage from Scratch, pasta sauces from Gardner’s Farm, and goat cheese from Noble Springs Dairy, emphasizing local and sustainable provisions. Future plans for Patina Meadow involve developing the property into a destination for visitors. Once the event barn construction is complete, Giannetti intends to host various classes, including pottery and homesteading practices, as well as forest forages. The aim is to foster an appreciation for the natural world and its abundance among guests. Giannetti also shares a significant piece of advice she received from her husband: to trust her innate design sensibility rather than seeking formal training, emphasizing the value of personal style and intuition in her creative process. Outside of her core priorities, she values her morning walks in the woods, a natural skincare routine, and fresh-cut flowers. Her experiences since moving to Tennessee highlight the friendly community, the serene back porch of Patina Home & Garden, and local culinary delights, all contributing to her new life in the South. #BrookeGiannetti #InteriorDesign #PatinaStyle #HomeDecor #LeipersFork #TennesseeLiving #ArchitecturalDesign #PatinaHomeAndGarden #Renovation

This article highlights the extensive renovation of an E. B. Green-designed home in Buffalo's Delaware District, owned by Frank and Leah Ewing. The Renaissance-style house, built in 1920, blends historical grandeur with modern aesthetics, achieving a unique balance between classic charm and contemporary living. The Ewings, who stumbled upon the property through an online listing, recognized its potential and embarked on a comprehensive overhaul in collaboration with West End Interiors. The renovation began with a planned attic refresh but quickly expanded into a near-complete home transformation, lasting approximately 10 to 11 months. Raelynn Capozzi, principal designer and owner of West End Interiors, spearheaded the project, focusing on creating a cohesive and personalized living space. A key starting point for the attic's design was a whimsical Schumacher wallpaper, which dictated the color palette for the wainscoting and the selection of custom fabrics for pillows, establishing a fairytale-like atmosphere. The attic features exposed brick and vault ceilings in the guest bedrooms, harmonized with soft textures and thoughtful accents. Sun-drenched reading nooks, complemented by traditional wall sconces, add to the cozy yet elegant ambiance. A central goal of the renovation was to restore traditional features that had been lost over time while incorporating the Ewings' personal style. This involved replacing all interior doors with new red oak doors fitted with crystal knobs, mirroring the original study doors on the first floor. These small yet significant details were carefully chosen to maintain the historical integrity of the 6,575-square-foot house. The mudroom, located off the side entry, exemplifies this approach with its warm, inviting design, penny tile, and wainscoting that celebrate the home's history while ensuring functionality. Lighting played a crucial role in the design, with a unique array of fixtures chosen for each room, particularly in high-traffic areas like foyers and staircases, to create a sense of cohesion and specialness. A notable example is the luxe crystal ball chandelier in the eldest daughter's bedroom, meticulously installed by Raelynn and her associate designer, Ed. The home's furnishings were also carefully curated by West End Interiors, combining existing pieces acquired from the previous owners with new selections. The Ewings further personalized their home with an extensive art collection, featuring works by local artists such as Monica Angle, Sarah Myers, Erin Long, and Catherine Parker. One particular piece by Sarah Myers holds sentimental value, having been passed down from Leah's aunt. The Ewings expressed deep satisfaction with the outcome, noting that the house felt like home immediately. The renovation successfully honored the architectural legacy of E. B. Green while imbuing the residence with modern comfort and a distinctive character, reflecting the owners' personalities and cherished art collection. This collaborative effort transformed a grand historical property into a vibrant, personalized family home, where history and whimsy coexist in perfect harmony. #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #EBGreenArchitecture #HistoricalHomes #WestEndInteriors #LuxuryLiving #BuffaloHomes #ArtCollection #ArchitecturalPreservation

Maggie Griffin, an interior designer, found her charming 1940s cottage in Gainesville, Georgia, and immediately fell in love with its historic appeal. The house, with its original features, small rooms, and quirky ceilings, perfectly fit her design philosophy of mixing old and new. Maggie's passion for items with history is evident throughout her home, which is filled with inherited pieces like an antique secretary and settee, alongside modern elements such as lucite and parsons tables. Her approach creates a warm and welcoming environment that reflects her personal style. Upon moving into the Gainesville cottage, Maggie and her husband, David, made minimal cosmetic changes. They focused on refreshing the space with new paint, countertops, and a few faucets, maintaining the integrity of the home's original character. The previous homeowner, who shares a friendship with Maggie, had impeccable taste, which facilitated a smooth transition. The cottage's curb appeal, characterized by painted brick, a charming side addition, a gable roof over the front door, and single-pane windows, embodies the quintessential cottage style that Maggie admires. Inside, the original floors and slanted ceilings on the second floor further enhance the cozy, historic atmosphere. Maggie's keeping room, located off the kitchen and breakfast area, serves as the central hub of her home. This multi-purpose space is designed for family gatherings and features a mix of antique market finds and contemporary pieces. The Thibaut wallpaper adds a touch of happiness, and layered rugs provide depth. The breakfast table and server were sourced from Scott’s Antiques, while the chairs are from Serena & Lily. A settee, inherited from her maternal grandmother, has been re-covered in velvet, adding a layer of family history to the room. An acrylic coffee table from Amazon.com offers a practical, easy-to-clean surface, ideal for a home with a young child. The kitchen, though previously remodeled, received Maggie's personal touch. She painted the cabinets and island, incorporating a wooden countertop for warmth and swapping perimeter counters for granite. This blend of finishes and the natural light from a large window over the sink contribute to the kitchen's inviting ambiance. The exterior also received attention, with shutters painted in Benjamin Moore’s “Herbal Escape,” complementing the vibrant spring blooms of her ten bright pink peony bushes, which bring Maggie joy each summer. Outdoor living is a significant part of the Griffins' lifestyle. From April to October, all meals are enjoyed on their back porch, which is furnished with a comfortable sectional for watching football games and a farm table from Scott’s, paired with easy-to-clean metal chairs. This space is designed for entertaining, accommodating both adult dinner parties and neighborhood playdates, and even hosted over 150 guests for a Halloween gathering. The master bedroom showcases Maggie's affinity for blue and white, with the design originating from a remnant bolt of "La Grenade" fabric by Bailey & Griffin, used for the bed skirt. Nightstands, acquired from a friend’s mother, were painted in Benjamin Moore’s “Half Moon Crest.” A custom upholstered headboard, inspired by Bunny Williams, and a bench from Scott’s with a leopard-print cushion from Lewis & Sheron further personalize the space. The bedding combines elements from Pine Cone Hill and Serena & Lily, alongside a custom bolster. An upstairs sitting room features original pine paneling and flooring, creating a charming den for guests. A camelback sofa, inherited from her paternal grandmother, is recovered in navy velvet. A hand-me-down ottoman and bobbin chairs from Pier 1, re-covered in fabric from Scott’s, complete the seating arrangement. The room also includes an IKEA jute rug layered with an antique store find, and a gallery wall displaying a mix of collected art, personal creations, and pieces from artist friends. Her son Henry’s room, located off the breakfast room, features a sophisticated look with Schumacher linen on the headboard and elephant art by Erika Lackey. A dark-blue chest from Scott’s Antique Market, framed alphabet book pages, and discarded turtle shells decorate the space, reflecting a blend of whimsy and personal history. Henry's bathroom includes Schumacher wallpaper, gray-painted trim and vanity, a Target turtle shell, and antique silver canapé dishes with the New Orleans crest. Maggie's background in furnishings and interiors, influenced by her chic grandmothers and mother, led her to a career in design. Her early experiences at Heery’s Too!, a high-end home furnishings gift shop, allowed her to transition from assisting shoppers with small decorative tasks to managing larger design projects, establishing her career as an interior designer who cherishes history and mixes it with modern sensibilities to create unique, inviting homes. #HomeFeatures #InteriorDesign #CottageStyle #AntiqueDecor #HomeDecoration #GainesvilleGeorgia #MaggieGriffinDesign #OldMeetsNew #FamilyHome

In 2025, interior design is experiencing a shift towards storytelling through craftsmanship, with bone inlay furniture emerging as a central element. This intricate art form, deeply rooted in centuries-old Indian tradition, is making a significant comeback, seamlessly blending luxurious detail with rich cultural heritage. These pieces, characterized by hand-carved patterns and sustainable materials, offer an elegance that conveys history, authenticity, and artisanal charm. From minimalist chic to maximalist drama, bone inlay furniture, encompassing items like console tables and mirrors, is transforming ordinary living spaces into extraordinary design showcases. As a prominent interior design trend for 2025, bone inlay is fundamentally altering perceptions of luxury and craftsmanship. Bone inlay furniture is a decorative technique that involves meticulously embedding hand-carved pieces of ethically sourced camel bone or natural alternatives into wooden bases, typically made from mango wood or teak. Originating in Rajasthan, India, this tradition was historically reserved for royalty. Each design is painstakingly assembled using either geometric or floral motifs, with the gaps then filled with vibrant resin to create a smooth, polished finish. The resulting pieces are rich in detail, texture, and color, and in the context of 2025’s evolving interior design landscape, this ancient artistry is being rediscovered as a symbol of mindful luxury. The resurgence of bone inlay in 2025 is driven by several factors. There is a growing return to craftsmanship, as mass-produced décor is increasingly being supplanted by handmade items that offer true luxury through their handcrafted nature. Homeowners are also seeking cultural authenticity, gravitating towards furniture that tells a story and adds soul to contemporary interiors. Furthermore, bone inlay aligns with the sustainability movement, as it utilizes ethically sourced materials and involves slow, manual production processes. The maximalist design movement, with its embrace of bold textures and ornate accents, provides a perfect backdrop for the intricate details of bone inlay. These pieces also harmonize effectively with Pantone 2025 color trends, which feature earthy neutrals, deep greens, and rich jewel tones, making them adaptable to both minimalist and luxurious aesthetics. The influence of social media, with trending terms like “heritage interiors” and “statement furniture” on platforms such as Pinterest and Instagram, has further propelled bone inlay into the digital spotlight. Additionally, industry endorsement from global design events like Maison&Objet; and prominent luxury design blogs has featured bone inlay prominently in their 2025 trend reports, particularly within smart luxury furniture concepts. Styling bone inlay furniture effectively involves a few key steps. It is advisable to begin by selecting one focal item per room, such as a console, nightstand, or mirror, ensuring its size is appropriate for the space and opting for classic shapes like rectangular or round designs for versatility. When choosing a color scheme, a neutral backdrop of white, beige, or grey allows the inlay patterns to stand out. Black-and-white inlay can be beautifully paired with metallics like gold or jewel tones such as emerald or sapphire, with the inlay’s colors echoed in soft furnishings like throw pillows, curtains, or rugs to create visual harmony. Layering complementary textures is also crucial to balance the ornate details of bone inlay. Incorporating linen or jute rugs can soften the space, while materials like marble, brass, or rattan add warmth and luxury. Mixing bone inlay pieces with solid wood furniture helps achieve a balanced and grounded look. It is important to use bone inlay as a statement piece, keeping its surroundings minimal to avoid visual clutter, and layering with natural materials to maintain cohesion. Conversely, it is recommended to avoid placing multiple inlay pieces in a single space, as this can be overwhelming, and to refrain from clashing the pieces with loud patterns or busy wallpaper. Ensuring functionality is also key, opting for durable finishes if the piece will be used daily. As 2025 increasingly embraces mindful, story-driven interiors, bone inlay furniture is establishing itself as a significant trend, representing a return to craftsmanship, heritage, and elegance. These pieces, from artistic consoles to opulent dressers, effectively combine traditional Indian techniques with modern design sensibilities, offering both aesthetic beauty and practical functionality. #BoneInlayFurniture #InteriorDesignTrends #HomeDecor #Craftsmanship #CulturalHeritage #SustainableDesign #MaximalistDesign #LuxuryHandicraft