COTE DE TEXAS: Kathryn Ireland’s New Hideaway Retreat

Kathryn Ireland’s New Hideaway Retreat

 

We’ve had some great guests on the Skirted Roundtable over the past year and a half.   We’ve talked with a lot of different people in the industry – magazine editors, design bloggers, authors, stylists, shop owners, and fabric designers, but I have especially loved having the chance to interview the interior designers I have long admired.   Our first  “big” interview was with Vicente Wolf, which I actually missed (the only one I ever did miss!)  Next, we interviewed Charlotte Moss.  My nerves were shot for that one, I was so excited to be talking to someone I absolutely worshipped! 

 

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Kathryn Ireland at her Ojai ranch.

 

Since then, there’s been Alessandra Branca, Bobby McAlpine, David Easton, Mary Douglas Drysdale, and Suzanne Kasler, – to name some of the other designers that have made me giddy.   Saturday, we will be interviewing someone that has me foaming at the mouth!!   Trust me, I never – even in my wildest dreams – thought I would one day be chatting with the likes of David Easton or Alessandra Branca!  Never!!!  I guess the lesson here is never give up on your dreams and never stop trying.   This week’s guest ranks right up there on my list of favorites. 

The interview almost didn’t take place.  Kathryn Ireland is a busy, busy lady and our wires got crossed a few times before the four of us were all able to sit down at the same time and talk.   It was a late night for Linda and me, but it was still dusk for Megan and Kathryn, being as they were both on the west coast.   Kathryn Ireland!!!!   How many times have I lingered over the rows of her fabrics hanging in the Decorative Center?   How many samples have I checked out over the years?   I’ve clicked onto her web site more times than I would care to admit, as Ireland was one of the first interior designers to have a decent web site with lots of photographs and press clippings.   You could spend hours there looking at it all.    I bought both her books and quickly devoured them.    In short, I love Kathryn’s aesthetic and have for years and years.  And now, here she is – on my telephone – well, my Skype.  To say I was thrilled would be an understatement.  Kathryn was a tad more laid back about meeting me. 

  

 

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Kathryn Ireland’s casual and comfy living room was recently updated.  I love her suzani covered chairs!! 

It’s such a perfect space with its barreled ceiling, stucco walls and casement windows. 

 

Kathryn had just arrived home from work just before we started and was exhausted – you could hear it in her voice – but she quickly rallied and had us all laughing, talking about the “neck lift” she wants.  A friend came over and handed her a glass of vino to help her relax.   I could just visualize her sitting in her wonderful living room – all comfy on her down filled sofa – munching on crackers and cheese, and gazing at the roaring fire.   She’s a star with a bigger than life personality.  She is charismatic and self deprecating at the same time.    Her clientele roster is filled with names of A-listed movie stars.  She even teases about her "name dropping,”  but she can’t help it if her clients are famous.   Her style is casual.  Rarely have I seen her do a “dressed” up room, but she does do them – perfectly.  

 

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A dining room – one of the dressier interiors from Kathryn.  Isn’t this gorgeous?????  The curtain rods are perfect, as are the curtains, the striped French chairs are also perfect, as is the crystal chandelier.  Just look at the darling casement windows, the sconces, the beams!  I would eat in this room every day if I lived here.

 

During the interview, we talked about her ranch in Ojai which she rescued from years of neglect and turned it into a much loved vacation spot.  Her book  “Creating A Home” is all about the ranch and the process she went through to transform it.   Once it was finished, she had planned to sell her house in L.A and her farm in France and live in Ojai 24/7.   Unfortunately, her 3 teenaged sons vetoed that idea and she was forced to sell it – to actress Reese Witherspoon.   Kathryn reveals that Reese bought everything – all the furniture, accessories and dishes, including the forks!  Must be nice Reese!  

 

  

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The Ojai ranch started out as stables for the Libbey family in the 1920s.   

Added onto by Wallace Neff, the ranch had been neglected for over 30 years when Kathryn bought it.  She spent 3 years restoring the property.

 

 

 

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The same view as above – today!

 

 

 

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A wider view of the central gravel courtyard.  The kitchen is to the right, bedrooms to the left, and the main living room is in the middle.

Spread throughout the property are numerous guest houses, stables, a swimming pool, and other charming buildings.

 

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 The main living area.   Kathryn used many of her own fabrics in this house – especially those from her new Mexico Meets Morocco line.

The tiles on the stairs are original.  Upstairs is a balcony that overlooks the two story room.

 

 

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Looking towards the fireplace.  The Juliet balcony leads from the large center rotunda.

 

 

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In the interview, Kathryn told us that once she sold the Ojai property, she wanted a getaway somewhere closer – so she chose her own back yard. 

She turned her garage and pool area into a private retreat.

 

 

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The swimming pool’s pillows are from the Mexico Meets Morocco fabric line.

 

 

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Kathryn’s garage was turned into her own personal retreat.  She said she really feels like she is out of town when she stays in her private room. 

I love the lamps and lampshades – they look like the ones from her master bedroom. 

 

 

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Kathryn sells this bed on her web site.  It’s beautiful!  Hard to believe this was once a garage.

 

 

 

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The table and rug are Moroccan. Here the curtains are plain linen.

 

 

 

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Now, the curtains match the wallpaper, which is from her new line of papers.  It looks great when paired with the matching fabric.

 

 

 

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The lampshade is changed in this picture.  The side chair is also sold on Kathryn’s web site.

Here you can see the rug is layered over seagrass.  

 

 

 

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I have always loved this bedroom by Barry Dixon, but it wasn’t until I read Kathryn’s blog, that I noticed the fabric on the walls and pillows is hers!

It’s in the Quilt Collection, called Paisley Stripe. 

 

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She was recently a guest of Dixon’s and got to stay in the “Kathryn Ireland Bedroom.”  This is one of my favorite fabrics of hers.

Remember when it was recently seen on this blog?

 

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Remember the master bedroom in the Crested Butte condo that Jenny Johnston did HERE

She used Kathryn’s Paisley Stripe fabric also.

 

 

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To listen to this week’s Skirted Roundtable with Kathryn Ireland, go HERE.   You’ll enjoy it! 

Also, note, our sponsor, Hot House Estate Treasures, is offering Skirted Roundtable listeners a 30% discount, so be sure to check that out on the Skirted Roundtable blog!!!!

And to visit Kathryn Ireland’s web site and blog HERE.

 

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Houstonians, don’t forget this Sunday is the Southampton Holiday Home Tour. 

For more information, go to the end of the blog story HERE

 

 

 

24 comments :

  1. Joni,
    Wow! Such a gorgeous home.
    Thank you for sharing.
    TEresa

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  2. Joni! Kathryn has been my longtime favorite!!loved the SRT intrvw! Listen, I stayed at the paris apartment you blogged about!it was phenomenal! I have to send upics!would u be interested inseeing them? I'm on blackberry sorry for typos! Karamhebert@gmail.com love, kara

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  3. Loved her....want to re-decorate everything.....again! xv

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  4. Her laidback aesthetic is fabulous. All the rooms she does look so casual but so pulled together at the same time. Love it.

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  5. I too am a huge fan and loved the interview on the SRT!!!! It was so much fun listening to you all chat :o)~Des

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  6. That my friend is quite the list of designers you've interviewed! Always remember they're people just like you, heck, I think I might be a little giddy meeting you..:)You've worked hard for this Joni and it shows it every post and this one is no exception!

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  7. Speaking of garages turned into bedrooms, ELLE DECOR had an article years ago about the Hamptons house of interior decorator Jacqueline Coumans, in which the two-car garage had been transformed into a fabulous master bedroom.

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  8. Hi Joni! I LOVE Kathryn and her aesthetic - so beautiful...so, because you featured her this week on TSR, I decided to do my 'Fabulous Fabric Fridays' on her fabrics for tomorrow...I couldn't resist - she is so talented and her designs are so beautiful...I can't wait to get her book too...thanks Joni, for all you do! :))

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  9. Love her style...fresh and sophisticated!!

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  10. I am HUGE fan of Kathryn Ireland and I loved this post!
    Thanks for sharing!

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  11. I love Kathryns fresh light decor, very comfortable and liveable!

    Xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  12. kathryn is one of my favorites... she has such impeccable style... with such fun... love it all... xx

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  13. Love her and her fabrics - the paisley stripe has been a favorite! And I've always thought that she would be so much fun to hang out with - seems so natural, easy and I'll bet funny!

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  14. Relaxed and stylish, dog and child friendly, aristic and bohemian....LOVE HER!!!

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  15. Joni how exciting for all of you. I can not imagine!!! I love her use of pattern and color. She is a master of mixing it up in a very casual way. Always looking like it took a process never contrived!!! Her patterns are fresh and fun!! Great post, Joni,
    Kathysue

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  16. I can't wait to listen to the interview. I have been listening weekly and then fitting in missed interviews on weekends. I feel like I'm attending a small, private presentation of great design and insights on how to achieve a wonderfully designed home.
    Thank you,
    Karen

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  17. I am such a big fan of her textiles and her home is fantastic. Lucky you to have met her!

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  18. Have always loved Kathryn's style!she came into the shop recently with a friend-what a delightful person she is. Great Post xx peggybraswelldesign.com

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  19. How fabulous to interview such a design icon! I'm off to listen. Congratulations....you really are living your dream!

    xo elizabeth

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  20. I cannot wait to hear this interview. I just love the greats who are not slaves to trends!!!

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  21. Hey Joni!
    i just love her living room in the first picture! She has a very unique style,
    Did you celebrate Hanukkah?
    Blessings...
    xx

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  22. There is nothing I could say about Kathryn that has not been said. She is one of those designers that will be in the record books.

    Wishing I were Reese W. right about now. Thanks for posting Joni, truly a thrill to read.

    Sending you holiday cheer & happy anniversary to all you ladies of the fabulous 'Skirted Roundtable'!

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  23. Things to sit on edition of cote de texas!

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