Insider Tricks for Adding Depth & Character to Your Decor with Holly Garritano

Meet Holly Garritano, interior enthusiast and owner of the vintage home decor shop, Seeds of Home. Holly loves well-done, layered, interesting interiors. Even as a child she delighted in rearranging furniture and decorating.

Holly’s Instagram account (@seedofhome) began as a creative outlet. It was really interesting for Holly to discover that when she was struggling with a certain area, snapping a photo immediately helped her see exactly what the space lacked or needed.

“It's really an engaging community to be in. I’m mostly always home, so it's wonderful to feel connected to people from all over. Especially when you share common interests,” explains Holly.

How would you describe your personal aesthetic or style?

I’m not sure how to answer this simply. I like a lot of different styles, but if I have to say, then it’s earthy meets rustic and refined.

While designing my home, I’d prefer the unexpected. There is nothing necessarily wrong with a space that is uniform - it’s just expected.

Our eyes can easily move while we are observing. But the unexpected gets our attention. Our eyes get caught and stop. We no longer are just bystanders. Our minds are engaged and inspired.

This is why I love shopping vintage and pre-owned items. Initially it was just more cost effective. But I gradually realized how easy it is to mix styles by shopping secondhand and vintage items.

My favorite approach to design is to use juxtaposition. It's just not possible to achieve this by buying mass-produced home goods. Give me all the old, charming one of a kind items, please.

Holly’s Guest Curation

In this week’s edition of Complementary. Guest Curations, Holly selects some of her favorite auction items ranging from vintage art and unique sculpture to book collection, rustic furniture and accessories. All are available in current online auctions and will help you create interest, add depth, richness and character to your interior design.

Scroll down to see more.

1. Theodorus Gallaeus (Flemish, 1571-1633) after Fulvio Orsini, Engraving, Fulvius Coin (item #: 216497)

2. Antique Set of 4 Hand Colored Drawings Depicting Global Figures (item #: 216495)

3. "The French Classical Romances,” in 19 Volumes, Edmund Gosse, P.F. Collier & Son (New York) 1902 (item #: 216478)

4. Signed Chinese Archaic Style Head Bust Sculpture (item #: 214958)

5. Left Side, Modern Wood Frame Sofa with Box Cushions (item #: 221340)

6. William A.Drake (1891-1979), Oil on Artist Board, Autumn Meadow (item #: 131369)

7. William A. Drake (1891-1979), Oil on Masonite, Forest, Ca. 1966 (item #: 130971)

8. Vintage Campaign Style Tool Box (item #: 209869)

9. Vintage Pine and Oak Saddle Seat Plank Top Bench (item #: 217321)

10. Diminutive Brass Bunny Figure (item #: 217909)

11. Group of Three Bells in the Style of Pual Solari (item #: 209858)

12. Antique English Frederick Hill, Birmingham Brass Scale with 9 Brass Pounds & Ounces Weights (item #: 216410)

13. 18th-19th Century Oil on Board Naturalistic Portrait Depicting an Older Woman (item #: 216360)

14. William A. Drake (1891-1979), Oil on Masonite, Autumn Lake View (item #: 131058)

15. Incredible Antique Stork Form Embroidery Scissors 1.56 Ozt (item #: 209848)

Styling/Buying Tip for BRG Newbies

Start with some inspirational photos. Figure out what you are drawn to. Don't worry about trying to recreate the photos identically but use them as more of a guide to inspire the direction of the space you are working with.

Follow Holly

Love finding more earthy, rustic yet refined designs inspiration? Follow Holly on Instagram @seedsofhome

Brand ambassadors are always welcome.

Are you interested in becoming a BRG guest curator?

Apply here.

We'd love to feature you and your latest BRG finds on Instagram! Simply tag your photos with:

@blackrockgalleries and #myBRGstyle.

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