Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Tuesday Inspiration: Patina


Campagne Decoration
"Patina is everything that happens to an object over the course of time...

The nick in the leg of a table, a scratch on a tabletop,

the loss of moisture in the paint,

the crackling of a finish or the glaze in ceramics,

the gentle wear patterns on the edge of a plate.

All these things add up to create a softer look, subtle color changes, a character.


Patina is built from all the effects, natural and man-made that create a true antique."
~Israel Sack

The home above, a barn actually in France, defines the word patina. With it's worn finishes, vintage linens and tapestries, and charm of the homeowner's collected objects d'art, it is my pick for "Tuesday Inspiration," something new I'm trying out as part of a weekly series.

So embrace those nicks, covet those scratches and appreciate those worn vintage fabrics. Realize that nothing stays new forever.
Realize that no one stays young forever either. Another reason why I chose "patina" for today's inspiration. As with furniture that has been properly cared for over time, we also acquire a gentle patina as we age. And there is nothing like another birthday to make me realize that!

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