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
A Visit with M. Naeve
A French Country House: Authentic Elements
Swedish Country Interiors
A Swede Designs
Cote de Texas Top Designer # 8
Suzanne Kasler here
Belgian Design: Hot, Hot, Hot
Belgian Design
Cote de Texas Top Design Elements
1) Linen
2) Slipcovers
3) Seagrass
4) Curtains
5) Lighting
6) Wall Hangings
Cote Sud: A House on the French Coast
Supremely gorgeous headboard…
Enfilades and Lanternes
Rose Tarlow
Capetown’s Cape Guest
Dreaming of My So Called French Life
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!
Joni is one of the best bloggers out there – her point of view is unique, and she is so generous with her time and her insights. Long live the Cote de Texas blog!
What a warm, generous and lovely post, Trish!
Yes, Joni is the real deal. She stays true to who she is and what she likes and she is also very generous. I will never forget how she took the time to answer my e-mails and leave a couple of comments on my blog when I was totally new (naive!) in blog land (I am now 1 year +). She probably won’t remember me, but she sure made an impact (+ I adore her style) and I also try to be equally helpful and supportive to new blogs. We have all been new and small.
And you my dear are also another gem in blog land! You are loyal, warm, interesting, generous (and from what I can tell, a fantastic Mom) and your style is fabulous!. And you share the most beautiful pics in blog land!
I salute you both (+ Greet who I put in the same category)!
ox, Mon
what a beautiful tribute to Joni! it is so nice to appreciate her work/beauty through your eyes. you have the biggest heart, Trish! All my best to you! Donna
Trish, I am still laughing at Joni’s post of My So Called French Life ! Her wit and sarcasm self directed is great!! Gotta love a girl like that! You are so lovely and generous again with everyone. Nella xo
It is because of Joni that I started blogging! My friend sent me her link and I started following her. I didn’t even know what a blog was, just that every day I couldn’t wait to see what this person at Cote de Texas was going to write about next! My son said “Hey Mom, you can blog too!” What? Me? What’s a blog? I started in November last year and have been loving blogging ever since. I’m inspired by people like Joni and you Trish.
Trish, You both deserve a standing ovation. You and Joni are two of my absolute favorites. Thanks for pulling so may great links together. Lulu
Hi Lulu, thanks. I have selfishly put @ 600 of my favorite photos from Joni’s blog all in one place…like a favorite book or magazine I can keep coming back to! (thank you Joni!). Cote de Texas Style!
Thank you for sharing so much beauty and inspiration, Trish.
thanks for sharing the links and all the wonderful photos.
Happy week
Hugs
Carolyn
Dear Trish,
What a wonderful way to acknowledge Joni and all she has done to inspire you and the rest of us. I love reading both your beautiful blogs.
Jane
Trish, Joni & I are both Houstonians though we don’t know each other personally, we know of each other. Hers was my 1st blog to ever read. I love the way she describes everything, even visiting her brother’s country place, and I love her photographs. You did her very proud today with this post, my dear. It is truly lovely. Marsha
All this interiors are really very pleasant to see !
Thank you ! I love Belgian and Swedish design !
Have e nice day !
Céline.
I can only agree with all comments. Joni is something special. She has posted about my work and me a few times. Her enthusiasm, her diligence, detailing and humor is unsurpassed. We keep in touch and she has become a friend eventho we have not met.
How nice of you Trish to do a tribute post to Cote de Texas.
Best,
Ron van Empel, Empel collections.
YES!YES!YES! All that eye-candy in one place.
Thanks for a great tribute to Joni, and thanks to you for your blog!
Kare
Just read Joni’s valentine to you. What a bit of loveliness abounds in cyberspace. I think friendship must smell of lavender! XO hbd
I loved this beautiful tribute to Joni! You covered all the bases of her design style and beautifully cataloged it all for us as well as singing her praises which she completely deserves. Thank you, Trish! I agree with every word you wrote here about her and admire her for all of the reasons you mentioned and more. Not only is Joni talented and altruistic with her knowledge of design, she’s genuinely nice. She’s top drawer, and apparently she feels that you are, too. After reading this tribute and having a look around, I can understand why she feels you and your blog are so lovely. Hence I look forward to reading more! 🙂
All the best…
XO,
Sheila
Thank you Trish! Thank you Joni! It is for readers like me that just get the pleasure of seeing your beautiful thoughts come to life that appreciate so much all the hours of hard work you put in. I think Joni is amazing and how nice to see you think so too!
Poncie
Swoon swoon swoon. Gasp gasp gasp. I’ve been following Joni since 2008, she is my favourite blogger, never disappoints, always educational. What a lovely, heartfelt celebration of our favourite blogger – she deserves this tribute, not just to remind of all her beautiful posts but to remember, when sometimes it may feel like too much effort, that she is truly loved and appreciated.
I love your blog too, which I found through Cote de Texas. I think you are pure French, what we would love to be but can’t source through geography or economics. I think Joni is an interpretation of French with other bits and pieces thrown in.
You are both too sweet and fun with your mutual admiration…love you both and wish I could crawl through the computer and have a visit in either fabulous setting!!!
Both great…lots of lovely reads ladies!
Joni has inspired us all, but you are quite inspiring, too, my fellow blog friend! Isn’t this a wonderful world? And so many small world connections. Turns out…Joni is a neighbor of mine. Wish you were, too, so I could sit in your beautiful back yard at your outdoor dining table! I love the things you featured from each other’s lives.
Blessings!
Linsey
Trish, I know if I start to read this tonite…I’ll still be at it come sunrise! There are so many beautiful things here! I’m going to “save as new” and savor a little bit every day. Thanks for sharing…this post must have taken you ages to put together. And thank you Joni as well!
You picked out the most amazing pictures of Joni’s posts Trish! Well done!
xx
Greet
Trish, I read Joni’s post about you yesterday and couldn’t agree with her more. I was so excited when I found your blog just a month or so ago. I came here to tell you that today, only to find such a fabulous tribute to Joni. You have assembled all of my very favorite Cote de Texas posts in one place. What a resource for inspiration, but that’s what you do. You inspire us all. Thank-you. Mona
Joni is such a wonderful blogger but also a fantastic person. I’m going to go to read Joni’s post . JOni is a large source of inspiration and so are you
Trish I read about your gardens in Joni’s post yesterday and was so impressed. Of course every post Joni puts together is like reading a fabulous magazine!
Come and see what I have come up with for Catherine’s soiree at the Shiny Pebble!
Karena
Art by Karena
HI Trish…yes Joni is queen! a lovely tribute to her and her blog….and you my dear have been incredible inspiration yourself! thanks for the ongoing gorgeous images you put forth so often…we are overdue for “un cassis” in your backyard or mine 🙂
bisous
Kit
I just arrived here at your wonderful blog via Joni’s post of today. I totally agree: Joni is fantastic! I hope to follow Trouvais from today on. Best, Mary
I am an avid fan of Joni and I enjoyed reading your entries today. So, you have yet another subscriber. I spent my first 20 years of mariage in Houston from 1975 to 1995. I now reside in Wilmington, North Carolina. A charming little klbeach town with very little shopping. I miss all the wonderful design and antique shops that I frequented in Houston, reading blogs this past year has brought it all back. It is a visual treat that I look forward to daily. Thank you.
Trying to subscribe
My garden is my sanctuary and yours looks like one too. It is where I draw strength, connect with what is important and dream. Your lavender is fabulous and I think I will “steal” your idea if you don’t mind!
Julia
to me, joni is the QUEEN of the blog world… a beautiful woman who’s incredible talent and success is full of heart for the rest of us mere mortals… he he xx
what an outstanding and inspiring post Trish! -once again like only you can do it…thank you!
When one finds passion in their day, one can live forever. I love that about Joni, the passion she finds and shares so graciously.
I too, love Joni for inspiring me to join the blog land.
pve
came here from Joni’s.. the lavender got me… looks like I have found a new favorite… you have a lovely place. Loved reading your faves from Joni’s blog.
Joni is indeed an extraordinary woman. She posted the video from the residential care center for children, where i work at Christmas, and we raised more than $6000 in 10 days. If not for her, the video would not have had the exposure she gave us and our children’s christmas holiday would not have been as happy!
Joni was also my intro to the blogging world….before I ever dreamed of having one myself…you have highlighted many of the posts that have stuck in my mind and altered the way I think of things…..the blog world is an extremely important part of my decorating concepts!!
Oh Hi Trish!!!!Congratulations on being on Joni’s Post and for doing such a beautiful tribute to her blog. It’s amazing when you look back the gorgeous images that have come from both your blogs!!!!!!And the education you both give to a myriad of audiences. I, for one, have learned a lot and am happy to continue to learn more!!!!!Keep it coming!Maryanne xo
I think your site is very well done with the images and words. I am a fan!
What a fun and great review….goodness there are some fabulous designs featured!
love the site.. cannot wait to get the regular posts..
A few of my personal favorites from Joni’s blog showed up here!!!!!! I will never tire of that grey slipcovered armless piece with the quadriple gathered skirt!!!!!!!!What a great representation of her talent……..You two complement eahc other nicely! Maryanne xo
Good Luck to you! Enjoyed browsing through your blog, especially enjoyed the Beauty of everything french!
Hi, love your site…I have a wierd question…do you know cote de texas’ email address…she did a post a few days ago about a renovation and i want to see if i can get information from Joni on fabric and paint colors the woman used in her home…just thought you might be able to help me???…
Joni is very good about responding to comments (don’t know how she does it!). So just leave her a comment on that post…she’ll see your email and be able to respond either in the post or personally.