Homage to Cote de Texas

I'm sure many of you are familiar with Joni of Cote de Texas. Her witty and informative blog posts are always well worth the read. She has a generous spirit and a knack for making all her readers feel as if they have been lifelong friends. After making us all a bit more than nervous during a rare absence last week she has posted pictures of her family room showcasing her new additions - a lovely new sofa and wing back chairs. In her post she writes about a subject that many designers are familiar with. The inability to make design choices for their own homes. Why is it that as professionals or amateurs we can make decisions for our clients or friends with absolute certainty but when it comes to our own design dilemmas we are crippled by indecision and doubt?

While I can empathize with her plight it is clear that she is making all the right decisions so I decided to post about her room as if it were a random space that had caught my eye in a magazine or book. so here goes:


Relaxed Sophistication - Texas Style


They say they do everything big in Texas and while this large family room is no exception it has the feeling of a much more intimate space due to the impeccable space planning. Carefully chosen furnishings are grouped together in cozy settings with larger pieces balanced by smaller more delicate items such as the little leather foot stool and the upholstered ottoman. The rustic coffee table is offset by the graceful silhouettes of the turned leg side tables.




While most of the furniture appears to be antique everything is given a fresh modern feel by the use of stark white linen slipcovers throughout. The sisal rug and and the generous spattering of baskets throughout reinforce the natural feel of the space.


The new sofa and wing back chairs are slip covered in a fresh linen. Typical of Joni's attention to detail she specified them to be sewn with French seams - a truly couture detail that is often overlooked.



That same impeccable attention to detail follows through to the seat cushions on the antique chairs. Notice the wonderful criss crossing of the chair ties down the leg of each chair. These are the types of finishing touches that really make good design stand out.



Throughout the room are hidden treasures ( I snooped in photoshop) and small groupings of collectibles displayed to add to the personal feel of the room. A wonderful family of Staffordshire dogs and a lamp with a great shade covered in an image of an old world map are true to Joni's love of French design.

Joni is obviously very skilled at the art of accessorisation (sp ?). As we all know Joni is a serious book junkie and you can see how cleverly she displays and houses her collection while avoiding the look of clutter or overflow. Books are placed in stacks on top of tables, in baskets , and in a gorgous hand painted container on the floor. She uses her book shelves as a stage to curate her favorite things. I love the paintings on easels and the special items displayed on top of stacks of books ( two of my favorite tricks as well) To me there is nothing more boring that an entire bookcase filled with only books.



I love the Bad President book and the back scratcher on the top of this stack of reading material. (Yes, I am a snoop)


I think that we can all agree that this is a beautifully decorated room that is worthy of a feature in any publication and Joni should be commended for her good taste and attention to detail that sets her apart from other designers.

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I Screen - You Screen

There is something romantic and alluring about a beautiful screen. It conjures up the standard image of a young women behind the screen demurely changing into her dressing gown while the handsome suitor looks on. Just a hint of scandal!

Over the years I have used screens in so many different ways. As headboards - hung on walls - hung as walls - hung from ceilings - hung on ceilings - and even occasionally as a floor screen.

This antique screen from 1st dibbs is a beauty. The colors are so rich and I love the hunting scene.


Undulating wooden tambors create a serpentine in this antique French room divider.


I like to take screens like this one with etched mirror inserts apart and hang them as separate panels on a wall. It saves floor space in a tight room like a dining room and adds drama to the wall.


This hanging arrangement of venetian glass tiles can be just as effective in dividing space or adding decorative impact as any floor screen.


Whats old is new again. I've noticed many screens like this one from the 1950's and 60's being given new life in hip interiors today.



I love this wall panel. It would be great hung from the ceiling or even as a dropped ceiling panel.



This Molo Softwall Textile screen from Velocity is a panel of accordian pleated fabric! It's totally flexible, lightweight, and movable. Imagine what you could do with this!



Another great pick from Velocity is this stacking wooden puzzle screen. So cool! It comes in sections and can be expanded to any length or height. Also available in metal which looks like an Alexander Calder sculpture.

The quatrafoil is always a popular motif. I love this stark white design. Wouldn't it make a great headboard. You can't see it in this picture but it is paned glass.


Connecting doors has always been an old DIY trick for creating screens. Here a pair of fabulous Tony Duquette doors are used to great effect.


Another great design with oriental overtones.


Tord Boontje's wonderful laser cut polyethylene wall hanging / room divider.



A Greek key design from House Eclectic. I could see this one in individual sections as faux shutters on either side of french doors or windows.

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Hello: My Name is Jackie and I am a Trim Slut.

As my close friends will tell you I am a self proclaimed Trim Slut. I love decorative trim in all of it's many shapes and forms and I will use it on just about anything. I've spent the last few weeks researching trim for my new Bedding book and I have noticed a dramatic change in the abundance of modernist designs. The decorative trim industry has been a bit slow to embrace the shift toward transitional and modernist decor but in recent months they seem to have taken on the challenge of designing trims to suit those styles.


Houles, one of the oldest and most revered passementerie makers has been known for their classic French designs and traditional motifs. Their new collections are quite a departure from the norm. They incorporate sleek design with up to date colors to produce stunning results.


Simplicity and basic geometric shapes are used to produce classic silhouettes. As always their quality of workmanship is exemplary.




Another French manufacturer Van Lathem Inc. takes a more playful approach to contemporary design. The use feathers, glass beads, even aluminum tassel fobs to produce products that will blend in with today's designs.



A domestic company that I use often, d'KEi Incorporated , has embraced alternative design to produce a large selection of modern and whimsical elements.


Traditional medallions or buttons are given a fresh new perspective.



Beads, ribbons, crystal, and even knotted macramé cording create unique tassels and tie backs that fit todays design parameters.




Robert Allen has a varied selection of transitional styles. I especially like their flat tapes which are great for use on bedding and pillows.



Using trim when designing for a contemporary or modern environment can be challenging. With the new styles being offered by the trim industry, that job is getting s bit easier.

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Bed Crowns Fit For a King

My fascination with antique doll crowns trickles down to bed crowns as well. I love a draped bed and using a crown is a fun and practical way to achieve this look. Coronas use less fabric than with a traditional canopy treatment and they do not interfere with hanging light fixtures, ceiling fans or air ducts.



Whether you are looking for something ornate or simple in design there are a variety to choose from.



They can be hung from the wall or from the ceiling and always add a sense of old world drama
to a bedroom.



It would be nice if there was a selection of crowns with a more modern design style. I haven't found any yet. I might just have to design some!




Sources for bed crowns (or coronas if you prefer )
Antique Drapery Rod Co
Design Source Ltd
Alhambra Antiques
The Well Appointed House
For Mercy Sake

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My Favorite Sources - Wesco Fabrics

Have you heard of Wesco Fabrics? I had been in business for quite a while before I stumbled onto this line after seeing samples that a designer friend of mine had gotten for a client. In a design community that seems obsessed with specifying products from foreign countries it is nice to see a company based in the United States who is providing a superior product as well as exemplary customer service. As our fabric mills go out of business and the industry shrinks due to rising competition from manufactures in China and elsewhere I think it is vital for the design industry to support US based businesses.

Wesco is a second generation, family owned business, located in Denver, Colorado. It is marketed mostly through regional reps instead of mainstream showrooms - although they are represented in 16 smaller local showrooms nationwide. Their fabrics are predominantly silks and lightweight drapery and upholstery. Many of their exclusive patterns are lushly embroidered or lavishly embellished.


This line includes many intricate sheers as well as laser cut fabrics and burn out velvets. If I am ever looking for something truly exotic for a client I start with their fabrics.


Their fabrics are booked in color groupings as well as by type. The Wesco website shows a representative sampling of their products but does not show the bulk of the line. You must see it in person to appreciate the craftsmanship of the more intricate patterns.

Wesco also manufactures custom window treatments and soft shades in their state of the art workroom. Their services are top notch and they quote a turnaround of approximately three weeks.

Their fabrics are very current and are priced well considering the level of their quality. Most patterns are usually in stock and back orders tend to be short. Check them out - I think you will like them. Go USA!!

Wesco Fabrics, Inc.
4001 Forest Street
Denver, Colorado 80216
Fax: (303) 388-3908

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A New Kind of Home Office

Apparently working from home is a big hit in the UK. Brits are hanging up the commute and setting up shop in the suburbs in record numbers. The US is not that far behind with many companies opting for virtual labor forces. As many of you know I have recently joined the ranks of the home based. I have a nice home office with plenty of windows - a view - and enough space for my essentials but it is located off of my Master Bedroom. Now sleeping - living - and working in the same room every day is a bit weird for me after owning and operating my own design studio for so many years. I was thinking of building a Cassita (that's what we call a guest house out here in the wild wild west) in the back yard. As usual I turned to the Web for inspiration and here's what I found.

Home Offices UK Style
Pre-fabricated buildings built from kits or delivered fully finished on site that cover all of the basics, electric, heat, AC, even plumbing if needed. Built to suit at any size or shape. What a fabulous idea! Some are timber framed, others shake and shingle, some even have real slate roofs!



Are they not adorable. Just like a life size doll house.



You can choose from contemporary styling to traditional. Fully finished interiors or exposed wood.



These are my two favorites. I think I like the Octagon with the slate roof the best. I think I could work all day in this little cottage without a care in the world.


Many of the companies I found are limited to the UK at present by some are represented by distributors in the US. Prices seem to range from about 3500 GBP to 9000 GBP depending on the size and features. I think that is between $7000 - $18000. Not bad.

See more options at:
Oakenclough Buildings
Sanctuary Garden Offices
Simply Home Offices
Cranes Sheds & Summer Houses
Create Space
Dunster House Ltd
Garden Affairs Lmtd

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Custom Tassles and Embellishments

Since I posted about the pillows in my bedding book I couldn't neglect my new book The Design Directory of Window Treatments, which will be available on amazon.com in just three weeks!


These are some custom tie backs and embellishments that I like to use in my designs. I added them to the passementerie chapter of my book just for fun.

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