Cote de Texas has been my absolutely favorite blog since I stumbled into the wonderful world of design blogs in 2008. Joni pretty much had me at her header: painted European antiques with carved and flourished edges, pendulous swagged roses, bits of Fortuny and glittering crystal, a trace of gilding. Limestone, linen, French, Swedish and Belgian design, Joni’s eye caught everything I loved. She would throw herself into lengthy discussions on the merits of slipcovers and seagrass and what Restoration Hardware was doing with Belgian design. She’d roll out photo after photo of swoon worthy interiors, crowded antique shops and gravel swept French courtyards. I love that she’s opinionated, audacious, not one to back down from a fight, self-deprecating to a fault, big hearted, generous and kind. In a long search through her onerously prolific blog, I’ve a gathered most of my favorite posts…a fair representation of why Joni’s Cote de Texas is so terrific. Click on the links beyond each title to open up each post and a tumble of gorgeous images ..

Chateau Dominique

here

A Visit with M. Naeve

here and here

A French Country House: Authentic Elements

here

Swedish Country Interiors

here

A Swede Designs

here

Cote de Texas Top Designer # 8

Suzanne Kasler here

Belgian Design: Hot, Hot, Hot

here

Belgian Design

here

Cote de Texas Top Design Elements

1) Linen

here

2) Slipcovers

here

3) Seagrass

here

4) Curtains

here

5) Lighting

here

6) Wall Hangings

here

Cote Sud: A House on the French Coast

here

Supremely gorgeous headboard…

Enfilades and Lanternes

here

Rose Tarlow

here

Capetown’s Cape Guest

here

Dreaming of My So Called French Life

here

And finally….Joni’s first post…May 28, 2007

Living In Houston, Lusting for France

“Welcome to my new, and first, blog! I am an interior designer in Houston, Texas who lives, lusts, and covets anything French (except men!). Not all of my clients (in fact most) feel the same about French Design that I do. Subsequently I am forced to design in styles that aren’t personally what I would choose to live with. But, c’est la vie. I am planning to use this blog to indulge my love of French antiques, French furniture, and anything else pertaining to France! I also plan to showcase French design in Houston, so if you share my love of French and live on the gulf coast, you probably will find things you love here. I am going to start with my own life, my house and the French antiques I’ve bought for it. I also plan to write about how my obsession with French antiques began.”

I was honored to have Joni mention me on the Skirted Round Table here

My lavender hedges made quite an impression on her last summer…

So this photo’s for you Joni. Thank you for years of beauty and

inspiration, and your kindness and support in my first year of blogging!