COTE DE TEXAS: Toto: We’re Not in Kansas Anymore

Toto: We’re Not in Kansas Anymore

                                              

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The Stone Schoolhouse, built in 1870, now home to Peeking Through the Sunflowers’ Deserae

 

Emails, I get emails.  One of the first readers of Cote de Texas who ever contacted me asking for decorating advice was a blogger herself, Deserae from Peeking Through the Sunflowers.  She sent me a picture of her bedroom, asking for my opinion on how to change it up.  I remember I emailed the picture to Beach Bungalow 8 and together we discussed what I should tell Deserae to do to her bedroom.   It was my first blogger design consultation and I wanted to get it right.   I took that first consult very, very seriously.   

 

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Before:  Deserae’s Red Fabric Bedroom

 

Back then, Deserae’s style was all about reds and toiles and white slipcovers.   She was definitely a more-is-more kind of girl and had all sorts of knick-knacks everywhere, and then some.  I gave her my ideas for her bedroom:  add drapes, get rid of the valance and substitute woven blinds for the white shades, add seagrass, slipcover the chair, etc. – all standard Webb Design advice.   Des surprised me when she responded very favorably to what I had to say – she had already thought of all those same ideas.  She was up for a change, but worried about her prior investment in her new red bedding.   I visited her blog and discovered that we had similar taste, except there were a few years between that similarity.  You see, some time ago red toile was my favorite fabric too, but I had moved on while Des was still in it’s throes. 

After that initial consultation,  we established a routine.  She would send me pictures of her decorating and I would give her my opinion.   What I soon learned though, was that Des really didn’t need my advice, she was quite talented all on her own and very adept at home remodeling.  She and her husband lived in a stone schoolhouse built back in 1870 somewhere in the middle of the Kansas countryside.  Together they had redone their house, including adding a new kitchen and bathroom – all on their own!   Even the maple hardwood floors were installed by Des and her husband – they bought the old planks from a nearby gym.    I was in awe of her boundless energy.    And so, although Des really didn’t need my ideas, she continued to send pictures, showing me whenever she moved an accessory, or a chair – which she did – often.  She actually liked to change her furniture around even more than I did.  After the initial bedroom advice, she turned her focus on to the living room, which she was particularly unhappy with.  She wanted a change, but was in denial about how much of a change she really wanted.   She had so much invested in “red” – that going with her heart was going to have to be done in stages. 

 

 

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Before:  white slipcovers, red toiles and plaid.  I suggested she get matching plaid drapes in both the dining room and living room – that’s the dining room behind the sofa.  The walls in the dining room were red then.  Deserae soon started a major editing process.   She wanted seagrass matting but worried about her husband’s reaction – he didn’t like them.  And, finally, I suggested she hang something on each side of the door opening that matched – symmetry is always a good decorating tool. 

 

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Before:  On the other side of her living room, is the study.   The three rooms – the dining room, living room and study, are all on a straight line, enfilade style.  I suggested she move the two white slipcovered chairs together to the living room, as opposed to splitting them up.  Again, there is always power in symmetry.   Des’s house is wonderful, it has very high ceilings and vintage decorative elements.  The decor looked like a page out of Country Living Magazine – it was very attractive with the mix of white slipcovers, red toiles, plaids and yellow walls, and her blog readers absolutely loved it just as it was.   They didn’t know that Des yearned for a change.  Slowly, she began selling the excess knick-knacks piece by piece, advertising the sales on her blog.  Almost weekly, she would have something to offer her readers from her endless supply of accessories.  With the money she made, she bought replacements for her new, cleaner style.

 

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During:   Deserae moved her furniture around, almost daily, it seemed, sending me pictures to document the changes.  Here is what it looked like with the sofa moved along the wall.  By this time,  the red toile pillows and skirted tables have been long gone, replaced by two red print pillows.  She ordered additional panels of the red silk plaid curtains for the dining room to replace the toile curtains that once hung there.  She bought a set of botanicals to hang symmetrically next to the dining room door.  But, the biggest change came when all the red rugs were put away or sold – replaced by seagrass matting.  The seagrass immediately brought a more calming, less cluttered look to the house.   The section of wall behind the sofa changed the most.  Here, the black baker’s rack looked pretty enough, but it didn’t stay like this for long.  She tried an assortment of other pieces of furniture there.  Different mirrors were hung, switched out at different times with paintings, prints, and plates.    That one wall was a constantly changing vignette.

 

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Here she tried her hallrack, which made sense – the front door was right next to it!

 

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Here Des tried some botanicals and ironstone.

 

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During:  As the year wore on, more changes occurred, the set of prints flanking the dining room opening disappeared when she found these wonderful triple arm sconces.  She added textured window shades behind the drapes, getting rid of the white blinds – another great change – the natural shades complemented the seagrass rugs.  The two armchairs and ottomans added a calming symmetry.  All the country style accessories were sold one by one.  Deserae added a beautiful gold framed mirror behind the sofa and she bought white slipcovers for her dining room and study chairs – even monogramming them herself.  I thought the room looked lovely as shown here. 

 

And then…..her blog disappeared into the black hole of the internet.  Gone.   Along with it went her spirit for the stone schoolhouse that she had worked so hard on, for so long.  Being out in the country was taking a toll on Deserae.  She felt isolated.  The area is so windy, she couldn’t really enjoy the outdoors – she decided she wanted to move back to the city.   And so, along with all her knick-knacks she had for sale, her house too, was now included.  Des started a new Peeking Through The Sunflowers blog, but for the first time, nothing much changed in the schoolhouse for her to show her readers.   After all, why would you change anything?  The old schoolhouse finally looked like Des had imagined it.  Streamlined, less cluttered, with seagrass and white slips.   It was all so pretty with just the touches of red and anyway, the house was for sale - it would be silly to change anything now.    I heard less and less from Des during this time while she sat idly, waiting for her house to sell.   I thought our days of redecorating via the internet were over for now.

Until, that is, the other day, when I glimpsed something strange on her new blog – a white wall!   What????  Where were the rich yellow walls?   Deserae confessed she couldn’t sit still any longer and she just had to paint.  You know that feeling, you’re all bundled up against the cold weather, nice and toasty inside, and you decide to jump up and paint your entire house white!    I know, I know.  I can’t relate either – that feeling has never quite happened to me before, but then, I don’t have Des’s energy.  In the end, she may not live in her house for a long time with it looking exactly how she had wanted it to look, but she doesn’t care.   She’s happy now.    Enjoy!

 

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After:   No, this isn’t Sweden, this is still the middle of Kansas, but isn’t this just beautiful?  I love what Des has done to her house!  In fact, I’m green with envy over her white!!!   

 

First, she painted all the walls in a flat white* with a semi-gloss white on the trim.  The red plaid curtains were replaced with long, flowing linen curtains layered over the textured shades.  The red pillows are now gone, replaced with a large French feed-style pillow and two plump white ones on the sofa, along with two zebra pillows on the chairs.  The brown wood coffee table was faux painted gray by Des, of course (that was my idea!)  The new all-white look extends into her dining room and through the study.  This is so dreamy – it’s hard to remember it all red toile and country-fried.    And this is the hottest look going right now – Swedish white. 

But even more important is how Des chased her dream.  We’ve talked it over how she could get her husband to agree to all the changes she wanted to make, like the seagrass, and the curtains, and yet – her worries were unfounded.  In the end, her husband absolutely loves the new look!   Piece by piece,  tchotkie by tchotkie, she sold what she no longer needed or wanted – not for a lot of money, but just enough to buy her the new  look.  She didn’t spend a fortune, she chased sales in catalogues and on Ebay, watching each dollar she spent, until she got the exact look she wanted.   The house is still for sale, though Des knows it might be a while before it sells in this economy.   And anyway, after living in such an romantic home - a century old stone schoolhouse -  the new houses she has toured in the burbs don’t hold much appeal.   It will be a special house that catches Deserae’s heart and that might take some time to find.   Until then, she’s very happy to be living in Sweden, sort of.   

* The paint is Antique White by Pratt and Lambert.

 

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And at night with the chandelier on and the candles lit.   So romantic.

 

 

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The antique buffet-a-deaux is now behind the two chairs.  The stairway was redone by Des.  When they bought the house, there was industrial carpet here, so she installed the beadboard and added the wood treads. 

 

 

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Looking towards the sofa with the new gray French pillow.   Des’s ironstone is stored in the wood cupboard. 

 

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The dining room with the slip covered chairs and her new Venetian mirror.  

 

 

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The dining room this Christmas, with the real estate brochures on the table, ready for possible buyers.  Del has since sold the black terrarium in the corner. 

 

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The study, newly white and sparse.  I love the wooden rocking horse on top of the antique armoire.  

 

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The antique long clock in the study.   Something tells me that Deserae is going to be on the lookout for a Mora clock now!

 

What Deserae’s redecorating teaches us is that there is power in paint.   It’s been said over and over again, but the cheapest and quickest way to change a look is with a simple coat of paint.  Once the yellow paint was gone, the look in the schoolhouse changed dramatically.   With the white paint on the walls,  it became clear that the last remaining touches of red had to finally go, replaced by more whites and grays.  Drastic changes don’t have to happen overnight, as Des shows by example.  A slow, evolving process, makes it less painful on the pocketbook and easier on a husband who is against change (aren’t they all?)  Deserae persevered, she didn’t quit until she got her house looking picture-perfect – exactly as she imagined it, a long time ago.

86 comments :

  1. This is such a lovely home and a great transformation. I hope it sells soon for the owner. You are so right about the power of paint. After this post and the Ginger Barber post, I may have to change my walls from a Martha Stewart taupe (painted eight years ago) to white!

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  2. What a beautiful transformation!
    I love how the white background makes all of her wonderful furniture pieces and accessories become so much more sculptural.
    Great advice and great post!

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  3. What a beautiful transformation!
    I love how the white background makes all of her wonderful furniture pieces and accessories become so much more sculptural.
    Great advice and great post!

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  4. Brilliant! Cote de Texas is a dailey read, Des is sure to sell the house in a flash, just tell her to be ready for inquiries including furnishings!

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  5. That's incredible. I love seeing the whole transformation.

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  6. Oh, how fun this was to see! I've known Des for years on decorating boards & have always loved her style. She has a great eye & I just LOVE the transformation of her house to this new look. I haven't seen any of this on her blog, so I'm wondering if she shared over there. I'll have to go peek, I think she hasn't.

    Wonderful, Des! It looks amazing. I love this look too & it makes me want to start over (but I doubt I will at this point!). You both did a great job on this.

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  8. We all yearned for a long time to get rid of all those white walls, and now they seem so fresh again. Great post. Marty

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  9. I love Deserae's home! I too am a red girl and am slowing replacing it and "lightening" things up around here. thanks for the inspiration!

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  10. I am of two minds on this one. I actually liked the look in the "during" phase where she had edited out a lot of knicknacks, but still had the red curtains with the seagrass and white slipcovers. But I also think the all-white look is great, too.
    All in all, I think she did a great job with both looks and I'm sure you enjoyed working on it together!

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  11. I thought the pared back red look was wonderful until I got to the new white look, Oh my wonderful.
    I have got so many ideas from this!

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  12. Looks like she hired you or I...hehe

    .. joking...
    thanks you for the fab BandA

    let's chat

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  13. Congratulations to your friend! Her house looks amazing.
    And I read your post a few days ago that you lived in Fort Worth. What were your favorite things about Cowtown? My fellow FW resident friend and I are big fans of your blog and would love to know your favorite haunts.

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  14. Joni,
    Not only was that a great post, but such a beautiful STORY as well. And you tell it so well. YAY for Des!
    xx
    Kara

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  15. I recently discovered your blog and I am so glad! This was a wonderful walk through the transformation of Des' house. Wonderful photos and writing. Thank you for the journey. ~Mindy

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  16. adore. all my favorite things, and I'd love to be there by the fire right now!

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  17. Well, I'll be darn. That makes me wanna paint all my rooms white, and I've never thought of myself as a white paint kinda gal!

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  18. What a great story and it's beautiful to see the evolution.

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  19. AMAZING changes with the removal of colour. Before to me is warm and cozy... After is sophisticated and chic. Two very different feels... both lovely.

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  20. This is a lovely story, love the all white! Love your blog too!!

    Lisa

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  21. What a beautiful home Deserae has. I love the white too, it's much more current. And you are right, this isn't a home that looks like it belongs in Kansas, but it's just darling. How wonderful that you helped her with the design.

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  22. W-O-W!!! I'm looking at my yellow walls... looking back at the end result of this transformation... back at my yellow walls... Joni.. may I please be your next project?! My house needs some Webb loving! hehehe

    Seriously, this is an unbelievable transformation!
    xo Isa

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  23. That's me above ... I was still logged into gmail instead of my blogger account! Eep!

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  24. Oh my...I am a color kind of girl, but I absolutely LOVE her white! Please, please tell me where I can get a couple of those zebra print pillows y'all have! They are to die for!

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  25. Move over gold here I come white. I live in KS as well and we Kansans are pretty design savy! I have to know where she got the sconces flanking the opening to the dining room and the little round table with all the books on top. Thanks for the tour!

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  26. Oh my gosh Joni- you know I LOVE THIS!!!! Ah so beautiful!!!! Just so calm & fresh & elegant. WOW. It's amazing. Go Des!

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  27. What a beautiful home your friend's was then and is now. And how fortunate that she used all those white slipcovers from the very beginning. . . they make the perfect base on which to build a new look. I will never not have a white sofa and I recently adopted that idea in my bedroom: solid ivory quilt and shams as a base for a revolving assortment of patterned and other color duvets, throws, quilts and pillows. I don't know why I didn't think of it years ago.
    Fun post, Joni. Thanks

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  28. thanks everyone - but I want to make something perfectly clear, this is ALL DES!!!!! I just gave her a few ideas, which she already had anyway - I didn't design this - It is ALL DES!!! She's really really talented and it shows with her beautiful house. I just want to make that really clear. I didn't mean to mislead anyone. Sorry if I did!!!!

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  29. What a great story!

    I really am envious of those who can do the all white and gray... but that palette is not very forgiving to children. Maybe when the kiddos move out!

    That is so amazing with that transformation. Just night and day!!

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  30. and...

    P.S.

    Yes, I live in Kansas, too. Kansans have to stick together!

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  31. What a fun and inspiring blog! Thanks for all the pics and the great info. A beautiful home each time. Love it.

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  32. I don't live in Kansas, but I needed to see the transformation to show my husband who loves red as much as I do, but I've evolved and he is questioning why I would want to replace perfectly good red and toile items for white. Thanks for the great argument here, Joni! Just what I need!

    ~~ Victoria in Texas

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  33. LOVE it! I am an all neutral (mostly ivory) and people keep telling me I need color. But it is such a elegant and calming and clean look.

    Kim

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  34. Oh...and I'm another follower in FW/Cowtown.

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  35. This beautiful transformation has really depressed me! Yes, that's what I said, depressed me! It is such a wonderful demonstration of what could be done if one is willing to get rid of "things". Unfortunately, I haven't reached that point yet, and I'm afraid I never will. I am way too attached. It's a disease with no cure. Sorry to ramble. It was a lovely posting. laurie

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  37. What a fabulous transformation! It looks so, so good.

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  38. Looks great! Such a beautiful home!

    XO,

    Sheila

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  39. Ah-HA! I KNOW where the idea for those zebra print pillows came from, Miz Joni! :) Kinda one of your signatures aren't they?

    I like the white rooms but couldn't have them myself - because they wouldn't be white very long. I tend to pick colors that "hide a multitude of sins" (as in FOOD! DRINK! GRANDBABY SLOBBER!) So, while I DON'T try to color match, say, Welch's Grape Jelly or Guacamole, I do go towards rich deep colors, with patterns.

    But I can admire from afar those who CAN live in white houses.

    Just don't give me anything to drink or eat if you invite me over... :)

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  40. It looks so fantastic! The white just pulls everything together and makes it look so finished -amazing what just painting the walls can do! The before and after look like a TOTAL transformation till you look closer!

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  41. How funny. I was looking at the before pictures wondering how anyone could consider them a "before" and then I saw the all white theme and fell in love with it, too. What a difference drapes and wall color make. And, of course, a few well chosen or edited accessories!

    Judy

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  42. What a wonderful story, Joni.
    I love that Deserae took her time with her design.
    I really think that is the best way. I can certainly tell that she paid a lot of attention to every detail.
    The white walls really are transforming. You two make a great team!

    xo
    Brooke

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  43. loved, loved, loved this post!! thanks vickydarnell

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  44. How beautiful! The house instantly became more "youthful" with the addition of white. I'm loving the white paint color on the walls. Great work, Des!

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  45. What a timely post to read, as I am in the throes of having my kitchen wallpaper taken down, and have been struggling with what color paint to put on the walls. Seeing this neutral transformation makes me happy with the neutral choice I made, but also makes me aware that by having a neutral wall, you must be very aware of the other elements in the room - particularly what is on the floor - in order to balance out the walls.

    What a wonderful post! Your past few posts have really shown how you can translate what you see in the magazines into your own home, and that is a great thing in this day and age when many of us are staying in our current homes because of the economy and the real estate crash.

    P.S. - You posted a picture of her living room before - on the post about readers' rooms - and I feel in love with the sconces. Did Des ever tell you where they came from? They are beautiful, my favorite thing in the room.

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  46. I just had to keep scrolling up and down as I loved pouring over the details and how the things she had were transformed against a sea of white. Love the transformation. Love the evolution. Looks so cote de Texas.

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  47. Joni, I have been reading your blog for months now and after seeing this beautiful transformation I knew I must leave a comment. Thank you for featuring Deserae's breath-taking redo. I'm a lover of white so I especially love it even though the "before" pics were pretty too. Now it looks so fresh and lovely.
    I must also tell you that I LOVE your kitchen redo! I drool for your new countertops and casement window and sink....and the wall of french doors, etc.! I come back to your blog every day just for inspiration and the wonderful way you write.
    Sue

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  48. This house could just as easily be in New Orleans - both with the yellow walls and sea grass or white walls and sea grass...

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  49. A lot of art in this story. Photography of the rooms, your writing skills and interior design.

    The HUSBAND issue. I've had many clients pay me in cash so their husband will not know they paid a garden designer. Several women confided they work a few odd jobs for cash to spend in the garden so 'husband' won't know the true amount spent on plants/furnishings/focal points.

    A retired woman invited me to lunch as a 'gardening friend' so her husband would not know I was really there for a paid garden consultation.

    Many of my gay clients have the same issue.

    In my own garden I do all the work and pay for everything. Hired men have no opinions and don't ask 'why?'

    Some clients divide frontyard and backyard into his/hers. Others separate lake house, primary residence into his/hers.

    I would like to know some of your client husband/wife money issues about getting a property designed and executed.

    We know who wins. It's us. We're unable to live a moment more unless the garden or house is redone.

    Garden & Be Well, Tara

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  50. Hi Joni~

    I love the before just as much as I love the after. When I was younger I loved everything white and natural in my home as I redid I went to everything with color, lots of color. Now I'm kinda in between lovely soft whites and soft colors.

    This home is amazing! Des, you are a natural talent. Just beautiful!!! Thank you Joni for sharing this beautiful home with us.

    ~Miss Kris~

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  51. What a stunning transformation. I had such a feeling of calm as I scrolled down past the yellow and red, into the white. Absolutely love it!
    Kerry

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  52. Beautiful!!! I was actually going through your blog roll a couple of days ago and found Des's blog that way. I loved the way she transformed the room. Both rooms looked gorgeous,but it just goes to show how a change of paint color and a couple new accessories can really change the look and feel of a room. I'm on a huge white kick lately so I loved the transformed room. Also she's a girl after my own heart with her little touch of zebra. Great post like always!!!!

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  53. Her living room looks just like the front cover of an Elle Decor magazine I have from months ago. It's amazing how current all white is right now, as you said with the zebra pillows. I love animal prints, I think you can always use them somewhere and they never seem to go out of style! Thanks for the great post, it always amazes me how you keep coming up with posts that are so in depth for us to enjoy. You so deserve the hundreds of comments you get!!

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  54. wow. Unbelievable. I remember seeing those first photos and remarking on the country feel of it all. And now? So sophisticated. beautiful.

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  55. Bravo to your friend for such a beautiful design, and bravo to you for the wonderful telling of the story! Her home is stunning. Can't get over those tall ceilings! Thank you for listing the name of the wall color, could we possibly know the trim too?! (Paint is my next challenge once we get heat in the house!)
    *Fingers crossed that Deserae's home sells soon.

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  56. Great post...the finished redecoration is so fresh...just lovely!

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  57. Her home is stunning!!!! What a great transformation, and what a great friend you are :) I absolutely love all of the white on white....so welcoming, and crisp. I hope that it sells soon! I believe that it will!!

    Andrea

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  58. wonderful story! I love the new look, though it was very pretty before, as well. funny how much a person's taste can change.

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  59. What an amazing transformation. Your friend has done what many of us with less energy than she has would love to do. Bravo Des and thanks Joni for bringing her creation to us.

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  60. I wonder if the same look can be achieved with less than interesting architecture? Are white walls doable with kids? LOVE the look. Well done.

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  61. This is so amusing I have "known" Des for a while and have read your blog in passing and seen articles about you. I have always admired your style. Today I saw Des' new look and commented to her that it looked oh so Cote de Texas! I never knew that you and she were friends, but your style shone through.

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  62. I love the white - so clean and fresh.

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  63. I love the white - so clean and fresh.

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  64. Such a beautiful post Joni. Des is a true dynamo. I have long read her blog and love watching her home evolve. I must say that as tickled as I am to see her get the recognition she so deserves and how stunninbg her home is, I am now depressed! *smile* I applaud her being able to pair down but I just can not do it. I have as far as I can but amd just a *stuff* sort of girl. I envy the old home she lives in but must make do with this newer, unexciting one for now.
    If I was younger and in better health I would consider it! *smile*
    I thjought I would always love these wooden blinds when we moved here 7 years ago but now I so want matchstick shades. Bill gets upset when I propose this as the blinds were very expensive! So that will have to wait...
    I lived with nothing but white walls for 25 years (in military houses and rentals and homes that we knew would be sold in 2-3 years).Perhaps that is why I crave this color. I was so in love with Des' red and yellows! I even used them as some of my inspiration to change some things here. The white seems so sophisticated but I am not that at all.
    I have some pieces that I think about leaving behind (I actually parted with some, gave them to my sis in law and friends) but am so attached to each one. *sigh* Such is why I will never have the knock out home I aspire to have!
    Des is a wonder as are you. I ate up each photo and word in this post...now forgive me while I go and bury myself under the covers of my unappealing bedroom! *laugh*
    ARGH....

    Love,
    Sue

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  65. Somehow the "before" pix did not load onto my computer but the "after" are gorgeous. Such nice clean lines and I do like the "barely there" color on the walls. Such a good lesson to be learned here....be patient. I suffer from the "I want it now" syndrome and it just cannot be. I am ready to get the paint bucket out though, winter does do that to a girl!
    Blessings...

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  66. Joni, While reading this post I had a realization. One of reasons magazines might be going under is because blogs like yours are amazing! This was so much fun to read and much like reading an article on before and after. Every time I read your posts i learn something new.

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  67. Wow! Beautiful.
    I have been remodeling my house for the last 14 months and your post has been so helpful.
    I am putting a gracie wallpaper in my entry that would work well with the finish on Deserae's table. Could you share the process?
    Thanks from another Fort Worth Fan.

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  68. Wow, what a transformation! I love the outcome, its a beautiful place!!

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  69. I,like Rhoda, have known Des for years on a decorating board and she is one VERY talented girl..I've never seen a room of hers that I didn't love and her latest look is no exception! Just beautiful Des - (I still have your little pillows that I bought from you!) and I know you are loving your new look.. Thank you Joni for sharing so eloquently about the beautiful transformation of Des' home. Simply gorgeous!!
    xo,
    Kim

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  70. Oh Joni,this is a great post.Love the finished product and enjoyed the evoulution.I think it important for us all to see it is a process and a journey not an overnight project.I have one question?How in the world do you keep all the white clean.I love white but I have family and grandkids all the time.Is it true you can wash and bleach them and if so What kind do you recommend,I would love an affordable resource. Thank you ,Kathysue

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  71. I am drawn more & more to the simplicity of white! Just lovely!

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  72. I must say that I was shocked with this transformation. It is amazing what the white paint did for this house. I like the study the most. The rocking horse on top of the armoire looked fresh and modern.

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  73. I can not stop looking at these pictures..what a wonderful transformation! It look great before...but the white is really awesome! Thanks for sharing.... ~Cindy~

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  74. Talk about shock and awe!!! I almost fell over when I scrolled down to the total transformation pics!!! OMG!!!! GORGEOUS!!! I love the white ..so soothing and calming..I was loving the "befores"..but my Lord..the "afters" are fantastic!!

    Mmmm..love the zebra print pillows, don't you Joni!! ;)

    Thanks for sharing and BRAVO Deserae!

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  75. Well edited - WELL DONE!!!
    Her space is more sophisticated, while retaining every drop of the warmth & charm ... . truly we often need another "set of eyes" (and a bit of permission) to implement change.

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  76. I love your back and forth consulting/brainstorming. Very cool!

    What a wonderful home...such great history. I love the way it has evolved. It is very clean and calming...crisp and natural.

    Kudos!!

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  77. Love the way you showed and talked about the transformation, but for me it's too much white. I like the pared down red and the yellow walls.

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  78. I loved it the first time you and Megan helped with the design. Then another wow with the white transformation! Where in Kansas by the way? In my area? I would love to do a drive by.

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  79. Oh, yes, and I agree that the sconces are a favorite? So let me know as well, if you find our where she found them!

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  80. I always thought Des's house was lovely, but now it's extraordinary. I nearly hyperventilated when I saw the "afters." Beautiful, beautiful.

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  81. I have known Des for years, we met on the "decorating boards". I have been emailing back and forth with Des for years now and we have always helped each other with decorating decisions. I find it hard to believe she needed any help, she is one talented girl! She has had one gorgeous house after another. Bravo Des! :)

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  82. I have the reds and yellows myself, but I live in Mexico where it's incredibly dusty--so they are staying. Also, my room doesn't get much light, so I need the warmth. Otherwise, I am totally envious of the white transformation!

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  83. I am in love with this room.

    Thank you for sharing this room. It has become a daily ahh... moment for me. Can't get enough of it. Does she have anymore rooms like this? Can you find more rooms like this one? I'm hooked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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