patina, old shutters …. and me!

by Sharon Santoni
[blank]What is it with shutters and doorways, that they look so much more beautiful with a little patina?[blank]
[blank]Is it just the passage of time?
Is it comforting to see they have been in place for longer than us?
Or is it simply a colour thing, that makes them look better as their tones fade and blend, instead of being too uniform and pristine?[blank]
[blank] Or, if we are really honest, is it  deeper than that?
Could  our love of patina simply be an eagerness to believe that the passing of time can be kind?
 That imperfections adds character?
That when we see an object ageing well, looking more beautiful with time, softer round the
edges, we are happy to think that the same rules may apply to us?[blank]
[blank]Of course this is just a collection of pictures of old doors and shutters.  Part of a library of beauty that I have constituted over the years.    Great examples of patina.  But sometimes it’s good to stop and think about the beauty behind the image.[blank]

[blank]Today I am joining in with Marsha’s party at Splenderosa.  If you’d like to see what other bloggers are thinking about patina, just pop across to join us.[blank]

33 comments

Denise September 3, 2013 - 2:22 pm

These are so lovely. I think they're all from overseas.They don't look like in the US. Too bad old doors and esp. old shutters don't look as nice here.A pleasure visiting You-Denise

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Tish Jett September 3, 2013 - 2:38 pm

Lovely indeed. xoxox

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Kellie from Indiana September 3, 2013 - 2:42 pm

This is a well thought out post, and of course the collection of pics are beautiful. Thank you.

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Katherine September 3, 2013 - 3:04 pm

Think of how many hands have reached out to open or close those shutters. How many storms they have protected families from. Is it no wonder they are so beautiful.

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Jacqueline @ HOME September 3, 2013 - 3:21 pm

Oh Sharon,
I have just the same passion about shutters as you ……. when on holiday in Italy, Croatia France and many other destinations, I take so many photos of shutters and, for my 60th birthday, my husband bought me a pair of old French shutters !!!! Most women have diamonds !! haha
A beautiful take on our 'Patina' subject and so very me !
Hope you had a good Summer. XXXX

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materfamilias September 3, 2013 - 3:36 pm

Perhaps a corollary question might be why the North American eye seems so less able to appreciate patina. Or, at least, why we're so ready or so pressured here to paint back to bright newness at every scratch or fading. Is it because the materials in the European architectural landscape have traditionally been drawn more organically from the surrounding resources? And is that gradually changing? Whichever the answers, yours is a gorgeous collection of photos — thanks for the gift of them this September morning!

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Tessa September 3, 2013 - 3:55 pm

Love your photos!

And love your deeper meaning, also. It is sweet. The hope that the patina of age, will be kind to us, too.

My wish? That each of us decides, that the patina of age WILL be kind to us. And that we will live, believing this. And show it, in how we carry ourselves, and how we address the world. Wouldn't that be lovely?

Tessa~

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Mona Thompson September 3, 2013 - 3:56 pm

Oh I agree…I too have a passion for fabulous old shutters and doors. Love all of your images. Have a great day. Mona

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peggy braswell September 3, 2013 - 5:11 pm

Patina ahhh what a beautiful word + just rolls off your tongue + wonderful photos. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

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christina @ greige September 3, 2013 - 5:37 pm

I always love the French state of things.. perfectly aged. Have a great week!

Best,
Christina

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Karen Albert September 3, 2013 - 6:19 pm

Oh Sharon you have just the right description.
It seems like a piece, in this case shutters, make us appreciate the character of what we see.

xoxo
Karena
Feature: Entrepreneur Sigal Sasson

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Bleudelavande September 3, 2013 - 6:21 pm

That's the amazing French patina! I love it.
Nice evening to you.

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Sandy at You May Be Wandering September 3, 2013 - 7:26 pm

Absolutely gorgeous! Somehow French patina just has a unique quality to it. Thanks for sharing! xoxo

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Marsha Splenderosa September 3, 2013 - 8:42 pm

Sharon, thank you for being a member of our astonishing group. I am overwhelmed with joy and gratitude that so many of us have posted today when I know we all have busy lives. These shutters say it all, don't they? Here in the US no one would understand this, everything must be new, if it is old it is cast away and redone to make it new. New, but maybe in an old style. You know? This is why I love Italy, France, England so very much…I feel my roots are there and that I'm at home, finally.

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Shabby Passion September 3, 2013 - 11:41 pm

Hi Sharon… I often stop and look admired at old shutters… sometimes you can hardly see the original paint they had… their faded look always makes me wander what they've seen in their long life…
I love them..
big hug, ciao
Lisa

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Francesca Muir September 4, 2013 - 12:42 am

Sharon these are just beautiful and how wonderful you are part of the splendid Splenderosa party! Fx

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Glamour Drops September 4, 2013 - 1:11 am

Oh what a question you pose! I would tend to agree with your last point, except that if it were only just that, young people would not be able to appreciate the beauty of patina…and yet they do…or some do, at any rate.

And yet, I think the passing of time does soften people…in character and judgement…the wisdom of patina.

Beautiful post!

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Sarah September 4, 2013 - 1:18 am

Wonderful post! I've always found myself taking photos of doors, windows, and shutters because of the time worn patina.

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Anonymous September 4, 2013 - 3:15 am

Hi Sharon how lovely, my love for old shutters started in Greece it was 1978 I haven't changed my opinion, but homes have to match with these shutters and in suburbia it doesn't work not in Sydney anyway. Thank you for sharing. Regards Esther from Sydney.

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Debbie September 4, 2013 - 4:09 am

Sharon
I love the pics and I do like the idea of not painting shutters. Along with liking the look of old patina I'm probably a bit lazy. But I somehow think that if I did have old shutters, over time I'd be tempted to scrape off that old paint and start fresh. I love going to your blog each morning. Your blog and Vicki Archer's are pretty much the only ones I follow, with the occasional look at some others. I like the way you have listed other blog sites so it's just a quick click when I have time to day dream.
Cheers
Debbie

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Colleen Taylor September 4, 2013 - 6:51 am

Ahh yes, the mystery of old doors & what is behind them has always intrigued me. My imagination wanders about who has entered & left. When I was in Italy, I spent an entire afternoon in Siena taking photos of doors and shutters. No one understand why I would do such a thing but it didn't matter, I knew.
Here in Arizona, many builders have replicated new doors to appear old. They are charming indeed. Beautiful post Sharon.

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Anonymous September 4, 2013 - 7:34 am

What fascinates me about old patina and everything else old is the stories they could tell if they could speak!I love your site.Best wishes ,Mara.

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Jenny Short September 4, 2013 - 9:39 am

Good post. I like what you said about age being kind. xo Jenny

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Jeanne Henriques September 4, 2013 - 10:28 am

Love your images Sharon…it makes me wonder, our love for patina and the passage of time…wouldn't it be lovely if we held the ageing process of men and women in the same regard. Celebrated for the ageing process…now there is a thought! Love that you are all in this together…Happy September Sharon…

xx

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Heather Robinson September 4, 2013 - 11:41 am

Of course I am crazy about all of these images–our appreciation of patina is something that you and I have very much in common! And it is undoubtedly what makes you have such an eagle eye for your brocante store. 🙂

In the apartment we are renting, the shutters are huge and 18th century–who knows when the last time they were painted and I wouldn't have them any other way. Apparently, the BTF does not agree and anyone who is renovating in Arles is now asked to make interior shutters instead! 😮
Bisous from the South,
Heather

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Prince Snow Farm September 4, 2013 - 11:53 am

When I see the old shutters, I dream of who may have lived behind or peered through their loveliness. I think of the life, love and laughter that may have taken place within those walls,. And then for some reason I see Audrey Hepburn looking down below to a handsome man in a sporty car!

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LaPouyette September 4, 2013 - 7:24 pm

Aren't we not blessed to be surrounded by old shutters at the places were we live! In a beautiful "patinated" country, a country full of history, authenticity and "patina"!
xxxk

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Burlap Luxe September 4, 2013 - 8:36 pm

Wish, dream, and long for your beauty to surround my life with daily beauty!
The soul and spirit in old rustic European shutters are often over looked buy most but, to see the beauty through bloggers like you who share a feeling and a tone they set in daily life is of soulfulness.
I would love to walk the streets as you have visiting and buying from local brocantes and roadside. I can't imagine anything better then that.

Beautiful days ahead of you.
Thank you for sharing.

Bisous
Xx

Doré

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Elena September 5, 2013 - 2:38 am

Indeed, imperfections add character! These shutters and doors are wonderful and show that some old and time worn things are worth keeping.

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Anonymous September 6, 2013 - 4:18 am

The difference between American, Britain and every country that was an English colony is that the materials are wrong and there are too many different kinds of materials used. It makes it look bad when things look like they're not maintained. On the continent, because the materials are simple, uniform and from the earth-cement plaster, stone, clay tile roofs-the materials can degrade and look better over time. You can see these materials used in Savannah, Georgia and they have the same great look.

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Anonymous September 6, 2013 - 6:50 am

This is a beautiful post. The pictures and your views have made a huge impression on me. Thank you for sharing it.

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Anonymous September 7, 2013 - 10:58 am

What a lovely home. I really do agree that having black custom shutters for a house that is white colored really match. Those pictures are really nice. Thanks for sharing.

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Karen (Back Road Journal) September 7, 2013 - 11:01 pm

Loved your collection of shutters and doors. I often like to look at them and think of all the stories secreted behind the closed shutters.

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