Tuesday, August 10, 2010

TUESDAY: Inspring Spaces - Joni Webb

Shortly after I started blogging about interiors, I found a blog that literally absorbed all of my time. For consecutive hours on end, I more than read the pages, I studied them, learning more from what I read there, than I have in any of my interior design course work to date.

I'm not quite sure who lead me to Cote de Texas, or exactly when, but I do remember the many personal emails I got from Joni, the author of Cote de Texas, after I left a number of comments on her older posts.

The picture that started my love affair with Joni's blog. From her post on living with books, here.

Sweet, sharp, and highly educated on the principles of good design, Joni delights hundreds of thousands monthly with her posts on interiors, exteriors, and the world of high-end interior design. Filled with insight and amazingly accurate information, Joni must spend weeks researching a post before she shares it with me, and all of you, and still the writing is fresh, fun. She entertains more than 60,000 readers monthly, and is still firmly planted, down to earth, and remains humble, never pompous.

I emailed Joni last week (very short notice, given the date of this post) and told her that I was going to be featuring her work on my blog during this Inspiring Spaces Post. I wanted to share something with my readers that her readers, nor the rest of the Internet hadn't already pulled up and salivated over. Joni, sweet thing she is, sent over pictures almost immediately of the new styling in her living room antique armoire.

Here's what it looked like before she moved some things around to give her the new look. Filled with porcelain, it was the perfect display space for her collection. Now,

it's the perfect display space for a different collection: these vellum wrapped books, shells and corals.

Here we have a view that includes the gorgeous chandelier in the space. I'm sure Joni gets a lot of "WOW" comments when someone first walks through the door. Now, I remember Joni's collection displayed a little differently, don't you?

Equally as beautiful, but very different, I wonder what Joni has done with this space. Yet, another reason to keep all eyes on her blog! No doubt a huge talent, and certainly an asset beyond compare to the design and design blog world, Joni is one to watch, read, and listen to, thanks to her radio gig with Megan and Linda at the Skirted Roundtable.

Now, stroll through the rest of my favorites from Joni's extensive and beautiful portfolio, and after you're finished head over to her blog to take a peak at her newest post!




Another bit of before and after for you. Before (top) as it was photographed for Joni's "Texas: French Style" feature in Better Homes & Gardens and the After (bottom) as it looks today. I'm guessing that Joni added the chandelier recently, how about you?










33 comments:

  1. Artie,
    I have said it before: Joni Webb is my inspiration. I love her style and always want to re do everything when I see her posts--especially of her own home. It's because of her I rolled up my Aubusson rugs and put down sea grass! --Delores

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  2. I'm not sure I know squat about "style" but I love her blog. She's turned me on to sea grass, slip covers, and that gray kitchen of hers. Who'd a thunk it?

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  3. I always enjoy visiting Joni and she does give a lot of inspiration. And we all know that you need to keep things fresh in a house and so you redo and move.

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  4. I feel so proud of Joni and all she has going on- she is becoming a powerhouse!! I have absolutely no reason to feel proud other than she is the sweetest lady and it is great to see her doing so well. I remember when her blog had maybe 15 comments- look at her now!!

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  5. she and I clicked thru to each other right after I started blogging ...2005

    in all her busy-ness she always took the time to
    email back or give her comments ... that's what I admire about her ... altho famous, she's just one of the girls ...

    somehow in the past I lost track of you, too and found you today!

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  6. She is my by far hands down favorite blogger. Sorry. She has never had a post I didn't want to read and re-read at least 5 times. I go back so much on her blog I am thinking of printing all her post and making my own design book. I might even publish it and make a fortune on her hard work. Just kidding. I wonder where she finds all the time, blogger, decorator, stalker and constantly re-doing her own house along with commenting on almost every blog I read. She must live in some alternate universe with more hours in a day. Love her

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  7. Love that Joni girl! Beautiful blog!

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  8. Artie, Great post on a great lady!! I am just like you Joni was one of the first blogs I started reading faithfully and still do today, she never disappoints. She is encouraging and friendly and so helpful. When I started my blog 8 months ago Joni gave me some pointers and encouragement. I will be forever grateful for that. Her talent is evident in her home. She has such a flair that is uniquely hers. Bravo to you for doing this series I love it and Bravo to Joni for just being "JONI" Kathysue

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  9. Well, Mr. Artie .... you led me to Joni and for that I am so grateful!

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  10. Joni knocks my socks off. I love everything she does, but that armoire interior is beyond dreamy ... and I LOVE that lamp. Always evolving, always lovely, and Joni herself is a treasure trove of knowledge and always so gracious. A very special and talented woman, indeed! Thanks for introducing her to me when I came to blogland, Artie! Great post. (as always)
    xo twin

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  11. MARAVILHOSO, ADOREI TODAS AS FOTOS...
    SEU BLOG É REFINADO.
    ABRAÇOS.

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  12. Oh Em Gee!!! Be still my heart!! Absolutely GORGEOUS!!

    I am on my way over! Thank you for sharing!!

    Lou Cinda :)

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  13. Joni's has always been a favorite of mine. I love her style and I have learned a lot just looking at her blog posts. They do decorate a little differently in Texas than they do here in Georgia though, but I always find things that inspire me. When she redid her daughter's room I could not stop looking at it.

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  14. Artie, I am also a huge fan of Joni and her blog. What a talented lady! I see some photos here of her home that I have never seen before. Thanks for sharing.
    Hugs, Sherry

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  15. Oh NO! I don't know her blog and now I am sure you are going to have me addicted to...naughty girl, you! Like I need ONE more thing to be addicted to that can take up what little time I have left to eat and blog and work...lol Thanks-I am headed over there right n.o.w....Diana

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  16. omg!!!!!!!!!!!!!! all these comments - too too too nice. not worthy seriously. not worthy.

    Artie - you are the best, the sweetest, the nicest - ever. I love all our emails. this was so sweet of you to do!! I'm going to link this as my portfolio. hehe. so many changes. that blue toile bedroom - she just moved to new house. :(

    thanks again everyone!!!!!!!!! this made my day and week and month.

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  17. omg!!!!!!!!!!!!!! all these comments - too too too nice. not worthy seriously. not worthy.

    Artie - you are the best, the sweetest, the nicest - ever. I love all our emails. this was so sweet of you to do!! I'm going to link this as my portfolio. hehe. so many changes. that blue toile bedroom - she just moved to new house. :(

    thanks again everyone!!!!!!!!! this made my day and week and month.

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  18. There is no one in blogland quite like Joni. She is so generous with her talent. Never pompous , always real. She is also one of the smartest bloggers in cyberspace. Her posts inform like a textbook but are so much more entertaining and fun to read.
    Thank you for featuring her. We all love her.

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  19. I love tis post! All the pics are so inspiring. I think I may even have solved some of my decoratind dilemmas. I only just found your blog via Cote Texas and I'm so glad. Many thanks, Fiona

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  20. Joni's blog was one of the first I found drool worthy and in my estimation, she's still #1! And it's true that although she is a mega-talented lady she always finds time to respond to any questions about color, design, etc. When I first started blogging, she also took time to give me some pointers.

    Joni, you rock!

    Judy

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  21. Love Joni: her style, writing, humor and talent.She's is the perfect Southern lady, and very kindly helped me with my home exteriors- Thanks for profiling her!

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  22. Joni is my favourite blogger. Never disappoints and makes my life richer.

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  23. I love everything Joni does. I have to say, I don't think I had ever seen the picture of her vellum-wrapped books and shells arranged on the black shelves - so beautiful and peaceful to look at!

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  24. Hello Artie, thank you very much for sharing these beautiful inspiring images with us. I just found your blog via Joni and what a delightful blog you have. will most definitely add you to my blog list, and can't wait to see more! kind regards
    Colette - South Africa

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  25. Hi Artie, Thanks for sharing all of this about Joni. I've been reading her for some time and my jaw always drops! That said, I just love your blog, too, and have added it to my favorites on my own blog list. I love seeing what you post next! Thanks, Carol

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  26. If you can't be inspired by Joan, you have major problems... I forgot to sign in, but she knows who this is.

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  27. Artie, you've hit it out of the park as always! I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE Joni/Cote de Texas, too! What a wonderful homage to her!
    Love/hugs, Lana

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  28. Dear Artie,

    You have captured the essence of our dear Joni perfectly.

    You are a true talent in your own right.

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  29. I found you on CTD. Will dive into the older posts. Come visit us, were new to the bloggy world.
    All the Best,
    Liz

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  30. Joni, is amazing, gracious, humble and FILLED to the brim with talent! Thank you so much for spot-lighting her on your blog!!!!! She's the best! :)

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  31. Artie,
    I just found cote de texas by accident this week...I spent four hours and I had only gotten through three posts...I just looked over and over again. I sent a link to one post to my mother and we poured over each photo in one post for an hour on the phone...I have a super stressful job (Principal) and this has been my salvation...my escape...I know exactly how you feel...what a treasure!

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