FOUR YEARS OF PATINA HOME & GARDEN!
Four years ago, we welcomed you through our squeaky shop door for the very first time.
But the story of Patina Home & Garden began long before that.
Before we even knew the name Leiper’s Fork, let alone thought of moving here, I had dreamed of having a shop just like this one.
When we lived in Los Angeles, we had a couple of showrooms. I filled them with our collection of antique furniture, a few of our favorite candles, and other small goods, but I always wanted more. I wanted to create a space where people could come together over a shared love of nature, beauty, history, and connection. Not just a place to buy home goods, but a place to gather.
When we closed our last showroom in California, I thought that was the end of the pursuit. Steve and I were prepared to start slowing down, trading our days of meeting with clients and searching for the perfect pieces to fill their homes for a quieter life, one filled with our animals and time spent on the farm.
And then we decided to move to Tennessee. Soon after, we received a phone call that changed everything. There was a building in the center of the village that we would soon call home, and its owners wanted to know if we would be interested in opening a shop.
In that moment, the dream came rushing back, along with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. We asked ourselves a question we have come to ask each other often: “Is this getting us closer to the life we want, or is it a distraction?”
After much deliberation, we decided to take the leap, and I prayed that it would be the fulfillment of the dream I had been pursuing for so long.
Four years later, I can say without a doubt that Patina Home & Garden is the manifestation of that long-held desire. And it has exceeded every expectation.
Alongside our small but mighty team, I have learned so much.
I have come to understand the value of community and the joy that comes from small, meaningful interactions, even when they last only a moment.
I have grown in my appreciation for beauty and the role it plays in our lives. Beauty is a means of connection and a beacon of hope. It grounds us in the truth and guides us on our journey toward peace.
I have discovered the boundless talent within our community, as well as its resilience and, above all else, its kindness.
It is not uncommon for me to turn to Steve or Leila and say, “Can you believe we live in Tennessee?” Coming from our life in California, it still boggles my mind that we have a farm and a shop here, tucked into the rolling hills of this countryside. And yet, I can say with confidence that there is no place I would rather be.
Whether you have visited our shop, browsed our online collection, or simply enjoy reading Postcards from Patina, I want to thank you sincerely for helping my family live a life more fulfilling and meaningful than we could ever have imagined.
As we celebrate these four years, it is my hope that every time you shop with us or read one of these posts, you are reminded that you have the power to design a life you love, one small step at a time.
xx,
Brooke
There is no place like it... so glad you found it and made the move. You are a treasured addition... :)
Brooke,
I have followed you for more years than my old brain can tally! I copied your front garden idea and added onto it in our house in NJ, then in our old antique in Barnstable, MA. We've downsized now and I gotta tell ya, I am amazed at all you've accomplished over the years. You know how blessed you are and you appreciate it. Thank you for sharing this anniversary - and all your posts.
Best wishes,
P.