COTE DE TEXAS: Katie did – She Really Did

Katie did – She Really Did

 

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Most design blogs are written by people who love interior design.  Few, though, are written by actual interior designers themselves – true designers who make a living from the profession.  Those few standout designers who do write blogs bring a unique quality to the world of the design blogosphere.  Instead of posting endless pictures of other people’s work – they are able to show images of their own design, and thus, explain the process to us – help us understand how they came up with the design, what was their inspiration, what were their sources, and how we can emulate their design in our own homes.  

 

image The beautiful Katie, captured by Gina Silvernale for 1st Dibs

 Katiedid is one such interior designer blogger.  We both started out about the same time and became email buds along the way.   Katie Denham, aka Katiedid, is endlessly talented – a fact her readers have gleaned from the occasional pictures she has shown of her own home’s remodeling.  A few months ago, she took her readers through the process of her c0mplete kitchen make-over and the results were stunning.  The final reveal pictures of  her kitchen and butler’s pantry belong in the best design magazine out there.   There have been other snapshots of  her wonderful turn-of-the-century house in Sacramento that she shares with her husband and two daughters:   pictures of vignettes in her entry way,  her living room, her daughters’ rooms, the landscaping.  All have provoked a feeling of longing to see more of her work.  Up until now though, Katie has been reluctant to let her readers view her professional work – you see, she works for a large interior design firm and there are bosses and privacy issues, etc.  Until now, that is.   Until the  Cosmo Cafe.

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Recently, Katie casually revealed a party she attended of a newly opened restaurant in her home town - the  Cosmo Cafe.  She quietly mentioned that she actually was a senior designer on the project.    I was floored.   This project was huge – it was very impressive.   Very.  Katie has been keeping quite a secret from her readers – the secret of her talent.   Katie is too humble to brag about her talent, so I’m going to do it for her.   Let me tell you - if I had designed this restaurant, I’d be bragging about it for months!!!!!    As an interior designer myself, I look at the pictures of the Cosmo Cafe in total awe and admiration.  Interior Design like this is not easy to do, people, trust me!   I am so happy for Katie – I could burst!   So, enjoy these pictures of the Cosmo Cafe, and be sure to check out her blog where she talks about the project in more depth, here and here.

Congratulations Katie!   You deserve it!!!

 

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The Cosmo Cafe – with its distinctive black and white mosaic tiled floor and chartreuse upholstery.

 

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The front waiting area  - pedigreed contemporary furniture.   I love that banquette!

 

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Another shot of the dining room, with its classic white table cloths.

 

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The Cosmo Cafe is located in d0wntown Sacramento in a restored building.  The blown up historical pictures in the booths’ niches reflect it’s storied past.

 

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A wide shot of the restaurant with its distinctive lighting and floor.  Notice the large C in the entry way’s floor.  Also notice the beautiful wood walls that play against the contemporary feel of the restaurant.   Ying and Yang.  Just beautiful!

 

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At the opening night party at the Cosmo Cafe, Katie posed with Kevin Johnson, the former NBA player who was just elected Mayor of Sacramento!

 

Another picture from the opening night party – check out the red-soled Louboutin shoes!   Too funny!

 

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Katie’s house:  Katie changes the decor of this console with the season.  Here, she styled it for Christmas with a unique, lighted Empire State Building, candles and antique books.

 

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 Here, Katie styled the console with branches and shells.

 

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And here – for fall, grasses and pumpkins!

 

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Katie lives in a beautiful turn-of-the-century home that she has been remodeling.  Here is picture of her living room.  I love her styling skills – notice the coffee table – how perfectly it is arranged.  Underneath, a cowhide rug accents the area.

 

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And, again, a perfect vignette, styled for summer with cool colors.

 

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Katie’s recently finished kitchen.  Isn’t this stunning?  I love the contemporary chairs juxtaposed against the traditional design of the kitchen.   Notice, too, that the island is stained wood which creates further interest and brings warmth to the design.  The Carrara marble countertops and backsplash is so gorgeous.  Love Conner the dog, too!

 

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The Butler’s Pantry is off the kitchen.  Again, the style of it matches the era of the house, yet the contemporary lighting fixtures and mirrors bring it up to today.

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Lest you question exactly how extensive Katie’s kitchen transformation was – here is how it all started – gutted to the studs, as they say!

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And just to show Katie’s not a one kitchen wonder, years and years ago, in her first house, she installed another “new” kitchen, again keeping it original in feel to the age of the house.  Notice how she updated her vintage range with a custom hood – at great expense, no doubt.  The hood is stunning.

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And another shot of her earlier kitchen from years ago.  Actually, this looks quite current to me.  I love the black and white color scheme with yellow accents.  Katie was ahead of her time – notice she used subway tile way back then – probably just as it was starting to gain popularity.  Great job Katie, as usual!

 

I hope you’ve enjoyed pictures of Katie’s restaurant design and her house remodel.  Be sure to check out her blog, Katiedid here.  And, Katie was recently honored with a profile on 1st Dibs’ Blogosphere Series.  Read it:  here.

51 comments :

  1. I am SO impressed with Katie, her blog and her design work... she's also got a pretty incredible daughter, with whom I've e-mailed.

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  2. Love the "changing" console
    Kristen

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  3. I just love the kitchen! The reaturant is stunning!

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  4. Joni,

    LOVE LOVE LOVE !!!!
    Katiedid is great.

    I am crazy for the floors, her colors, the lines of everything she uses.She is gifted.

    I know that if she were to do my house, I would have zero anxiety.
    Now, that statement is the highest compliment I can give.

    xxx

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  5. These interiors are wonderful!!!!!! Thanks for introducing me to Katie. I am an instant fan. You are so generous Joni!!!

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  6. Genius! Love her style. She simply pays homage to every space and season! Her kitchen was a joy to watch unfold and that console....I want one!

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  7. I love, love, love Katie's kitchen. If I ever redo mine, hers will be at the top of the inspiration pile.

    Cosmo Cafe is wonderful. So many great contrasts -- the black and white, the wood and sleek -- I love it.

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  8. What a fun way to start the morning.. The Cosmo is a work of art. I love Katie's changing console and the kitchen is totally awesome. hugs ~lynne~

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  9. What a beautiful tribute to a remarkable woman!

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  10. Katie is a talented designer but what adds the "great" to her talents is the "heart." It is obvious to me, after following her blog, that she possesses a beautiful spirit that adores her family, friends, and life. lovely post Joni. Ginny

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  11. What a beautifully designed restaurant. The floor is amazing. Katie is equally as charming and beautiful herself, as is her work!! Well done Katie.Joni you have done a great posting to celebrate Katie's work.

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  12. LOVE the restaurant design! And her house. She does have a gift... and a lucky family!

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  13. Thanks for the new inspiration, Joni. Her work is fabulous! I love the blown up pictures in the restaurant, especially the cars in front of Woolworths.

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  14. Cosmo Cafe is gorgeous! Love how it all just works together so perfectly. The front entry with that fantastic banquette and "pedigreed" modern furniture .. (Joni, I love how you put that.. i am a modern design lover! :) ) Katie is certainly a style setter and super uber talented!! Such inspiration! Thanks Joni!

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  15. It's so nice to see you feature the work of other bloggers!

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  16. The restaurant is amazing! Not only is Katie incredibly talented, she is also incredibly sweet. I wish her much success!

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  17. Dear Joni,
    What can I say? You are the most wonderful and supportive friend a person could wish for. For you to do this post is simply ...... (OK, here is where I had to enlist the help of my younger daughter. She has been reading this post and comments along with me this morning and has seen me get all teary eyed with a flood of emotion.) Here is what she says, and I have to agree: AWESOME, AMAZING, and she is JIGGY WITH IT (here she is just being silly to get me laughing) We are now giggling and wiping tears from my face. I just cannot express how wonderful it is to have this community of support with all of the bloggers out there who put so much thought and effort into their blogs. You, of course, are perhaps at the top of the list when it comes to that selfless support and commraderie that makes all of this so much fun and addictive!

    Thank you so very much Joni!, And thank you to all of those commenting! It really just makes my day, week, year!
    Sending you a big hug-
    Katie

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  18. Wow, what a small world. We attended the grand opening of this restaurant. We are neighbors with the Kurt Spaturo and Kitty O'Neal who are business partners with Paragary. The restaurant is very beautiful. Great job Katie. I'm sorry I didn't get to meet her that night. Ironically, the newly elected Mayor Kevin Johson is also our neighbor. We all live in the Curtis Park neighborhood. Thank you Joni for spotlighting Katie and our corner of the world.

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  19. Fantabulous! What a swanky looking restaurant!

    Katie is SUCH a talent, but even more...she is such a genuinely warm, caring, responsive, jiggy ;),all round great person and blogger. A delight to read and see her amazing work!

    How great of you to feature her, Joni! I love it!

    ...and that hood...oh my!

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  20. WOW! How impressive! So glad you did the post. The Cosmo Cafe looks amazing. Love those chairs!! Also, Katie's kitchen is great. Traditional white kitchens are my favorite. So tired of kitchens looking like livingrooms with dark cabinetry and marble. Yay Katie!

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  21. Katie did, indeed! Absolutely stunning! The restaurant is out of this world, and I am in love with Katie's house - especially the kitchen! I was pleasantly surprised to see the pictures of her old kitchen - she has the same stove there that I am currently shopping for! A late 1940s Wedgewood!

    Seasonal tables are so fun - we started doing that when my little boywonder would bring home treasures and we'd display them - but it is nothing as elegant beautiful and Katie's.

    Thank you for such a great post, as always! I'll be checking out Katie's blog for sure.
    Isa

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  22. The black and white mosaic floor, the warmth of the wood panels, the astringent shots of chartreuse~very striking, impressive and authoritative. And a definite point of view. Marvelous.

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  23. Joni, thank you so much for sharing this. I am very impressed with both you and Katie! So much talent.

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  24. This is all to beautiful. I love the apple green bar chairs in Cosmo.

    And her home is a thing a beauty, I could see myself there.

    I'll need to go to her blog thanks for telling us about Katie.

    Ciao

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  25. Katie IS a talented designer. It is extremely hard to pull together a room, much less a restaurant. Cosmo Cafe looks so inviting. Congrats Katie and thanks Joni for sharing Katie's work with us!

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  26. Sure is; she is one of my first 3 blogs of the day!

    Great post!

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  27. Simply out of this world! I love how she changes the entry area with the season.

    I love the green chairs at Cosmo Cafe this is green is one of my favorite colors.

    Joni thanks for sharing Katie's world with us.

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  28. It's obvious that to have a blog, you have to have a heart. Katie's blog is a favorite and Joni, YOUR generosity is unprecedented. Beautiful women inside & out bestowing beauty to us...

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  29. Joni, in a word, "WOW!"

    And I agree with Virginia above... your blog is wonderful, your generosity unprecedented, and your beauty does shine from within and without.

    Sheila

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  30. She's one of my favorites and this restaurant design is just wonderful, isn't it?

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  31. Joni, thanks so much! I'm adding fabulous Katie, to my list, right this very minute!

    Wonderful post!

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  32. Great post. Am a fan of Katie. Her new kitchen makes me drool anytime I see a photo. But I did not know the last kitchen in this post was her former home. I have posted about this kitchen and the charming black and white floors - it maybe my second post back in January. Love black and white with yellow walls thats what we are doing in the remodel. Smiles,LC

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  33. Joni you truly are an awesome person. How wonderful for you to showcase Katie's work. She is sooo talented and the Cosmo Cafe is FAB!! Great job Katie!!

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  34. Love her vingettes & that KITCHEN! Love the vinatage vibe.

    I recognized KJ too, he used to play for the Phoenix Suns at one pint.

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  35. she is so sweet and talented! and gosh, THAT KITCHEN!

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  36. Joni -
    I have just recently discovered Katie's incredible blog.
    Thank you for giving us more insight into this fantastic talent. Love those chartreuse bar stools!
    And her kitchen remodel is gorgeous. The marble slabs are stunning. I'm a big fan of open shelves.

    Your posts are always fun and informative.
    You are respectful to your subjects but you always infuse a bit of humor (only you would catch those Louboutin's).

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  37. Psssst, Katie....how bout you knock me a little bit of that talent? You could stand to lose a little, you know, ummmm......let's share, it'll be fun ;)

    All jokes aside, Katie. You are wonderfully adept! Everything that you have come up with has such a tasteful exuberance to it. Not an ounce of stodginess, only pure sophistication with a current perspective. Very refreshing!

    Joni, as always....you are so gracious. Always willing to help a friend promote his/herself and bringing out the confidence in all of us. What a great friend you are to have.


    Andrea V.

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  38. Wow! Beautiful work! You are right Joni...it's quite an asset to have real designers blogging. Thanks to you and Katie!

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  39. I loved Katie's design of this place!

    Thanks for stopping by. I'm still in FL so haven't posted any of those pics yet. We're still here enjoying the sunshine!

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  40. GREAT post about Katiedid... love the restaurant design!

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  41. I love your blog! These photos are gorgeous!

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  42. her work in the restaurant is gorgeous ! She is such a great designer...

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  43. I love Katiedid's blog! She does amazing work, that club is to die for...so beautiful- thanks for sharing!!

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  44. What an amazing talent! Go Kate!
    And yes, her home is simply beautiful. That kitchen is one to die for...
    Oooh but I soooo want that Empire State Building!! Oooh! Major envy
    attack!

    Thank youf or introducing us to Kate!

    Love,
    Sue

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  45. That restaurant is fantastic!!

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  46. Wow, I am floored. The Cafe is absolutely GORGEOUS. The mosaic tiling is to die for! Katie is so talented yet so humble and very very sweet.

    Karen O.

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  47. Fabulous job on the restaurant! Congrat's....what talent...I'm looking forward to being dazzled by her.

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  48. Fabulous job on the restaurant! Congrat's....what talent...I'm looking forward to being dazzled by her.

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  49. Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, HappyBirthday dear Joni, Happy Birthday to you!

    My birthday was the 17th so we are both Scorpios! Sexy Scorpios, Ha!

    With kind regards,
    Mimilee ..........Have a great day,girl! You deserve it!

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  50. beautiful blog and post.

    many thanks,
    cristin

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