COTE DE TEXAS: A Houston Talent

A Houston Talent


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Last March, Traditional Home ran an story on “20 Young Designers We’ve Got Our Eye On.”   Two were from Texas, one from Houston.

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The Traditional Home Story on Julie Dodson
The young Houston designer given the Traditional Home honors was Julie Dodson.   Dodson, a graduate of Ole Miss, worked for several well known design firms until 2003, when she and her mother, noted Houston designer Trisha Dodson, came together to form “Dodson and Daughter Interiors.”   Their interiors are noted for being classic and timeless, and typically very elegant.  A few weeks ago, I ran into Julie at the George Cameron Nash showroom while she was gathering fabrics together for her latest project.  At gunpoint, Julie most kindly offered to share her portfolio with Cote de Texas readers.   Ok, Ok, I’m kidding, but I really was very pushy!  I have long admired Julie’s work which I had seen at the Pink Ribbon Showcase Houses.  So, I was thrilled when she agreed to this story!   I know I’ve been accused of only showing Houston interiors with white slipcovers and seagrass, but trust me, there is a lot more to Houston design than just those two design elements.  As you will see, Julie’s interiors are filled with beautiful rugs, modern art work, contemporary and antique furniture, and linen, silk and velvet fabrics.   Many of her rooms are filled with pieces that she designed and had custom made.    Her designs run the gamut from casual to dressy, from traditional to contemporary.   Looking at her portfolio, I can easily understand why Traditional Home chose Julie - her designs show a remarkably mature talent for someone in her early 30s. 
I hope you enjoy these beautiful pictures, most of which were taken by photographer Julie Soefer.  

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The bedroom that Traditional Home used in their article is actually a guest room.  My eye went straight to the curtains and the tufted settee.  What craftsmanship!  I love the small rolled arms and back.   Such a cute bedroom!

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This next project is a home in West University.  Julie used the client’s rug as the starting point to bring in the colors – a soft turquoise and the deep orange.  Notice how she used two different chairs at the table.   Also, notice the trim she added to bring in a design element to the upholstered chairs.  Love the mirror! 

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In this view, you can see the front of the French host chairs, which was kept plain in contrast to their backs. 

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Across from the dining room, the living room continues with the same orange accents, this time mixed with brown.  Again, the art work set the room’s color scheme.

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The curtains in brown and white repeat the same coloring in the polka dot pillows.   Julie mixed classic with contemporary in this room – these painted chairs with brown leather are so beautiful!


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In another West University house, this master bedroom was originally done in reds.  Julie was hired to update the room and create a serene environment.  Here the only pattern is in the 100% wool rug from Creative Flooring.  The room is large and very long, so a seating area was added to fill up the space.  A row of builder grade windows are given distinction by the beautiful curtains.

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In this picture, you can see the contemporary art work upon which the room’s color scheme was based. 

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Julie was given the honor of decorating the master suite in this year’s Pink Ribbon Showcase House.   Setting the tone is the gorgeous wall treatment hand painted by Segreto Finishes.  Wow!  It looks like Gracie wallpapering.  Soooo beautiful!!!!   The décor is a mix of traditional and antique furnishings.  


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At the windows, Julie added a soft cornice to the shorter French doors to visually pull them higher, matching the taller windows on the right.  She added brown trim to the cotton twill curtains, adding extra interest.  I love the touch of pink silk in the ivory chair.


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The bed was designed by Julie and made by The Joseph Company.  She used vinyl to cover the headboard AND the doors that lead to the bathroom.  The painting over the desk was done by an artist from Segreto’s Studio.

  
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The master bathroom has a stunning marble flooring from Walker Zanger.  Around the bath, the same marble is found in 1” tiles.  Notice the studded door leading to the room. 


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Another view of the bathroom.  I like how Julie used the black countertops, picking up the darker shade of marble. 


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For this project, a model home on Sunset, Julie had a strict budget to work with.   I love the half round skirted tables that flank the fireplace.  

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Julie lucked out with the chairs in orange ultrasuede that she found at the Guild shop.  To save money on the dining room table, she used a skirt – with brown trim to dress it up.


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In the breakfast area, she used a tufted banquette and a zinc table. 




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For this large custom home in Memorial, Julie chose a wool patterned rug from Creative Flooring to anchor the furniture.   Again, the rug and the pillows provide the only pattern.   She found the oversized angel wings in Highpoint.   The Joseph Company made the custom furniture. 


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In the dining room, Julie used beadboard on the ceiling and then had it antiqued.  The chairs are covered in two fabrics, the velvet is a Mokum fabric.  The silk curtains are just gorgeous and perfectly match the Mokum fabric.

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Above the table is the beautiful David Iatesta chandelier – one of my personal favorites!  I love it so much!!!!  It also comes in a celadon color and has matching sconces.  HERE.


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The kitchen continues the elegant feel of the house, with upholstered barstools and an area rug. 



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The powder room – notice the carvings on the cabinet!  

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In the master bedroom, Julie wanted a quiet atmosphere with pops of color coming from the art work.  The mirrored night stands add a reflective quality to the room.


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In the master bathroom, Julie used Sienna Silver, a travertine, from Walker Zanger.   It creates a great linear feel to the room.  


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In 2008, Julie again was given the master bedroom suite of the Pink Ribbon Showcase House.  Here she used an iron bed with brown linen curtains. 

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The bed helped bring the room’s high ceiling down to a more human scale.   I really love this room with its mix of antique and traditional furnishings.   On either side of the bed, she placed large pieces of art work instead of the more typical mirrors.  So pretty!!!!!




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Showing that she does more than traditional interiors, Julie designed a very contemporary custom house in River Oaks.  

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The living area is one large room with the dining area on one side.  The client’s family is large and they needed much room for entertaining.   The owner requested two triangular tables which Julie commissioned Bill Peck to make.  Julie took the color scheme from the owner’s art work.  A user friendly vinyl was used on the chairs.

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At the other side of the room is the sitting area.  These great acrylic tables were custom designed by Julie and made by Muniz Plastics out of Florida.


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The kitchen – notice the beautiful carpentry on the right!   The barstools have acrylic legs. Great light fixtures.



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For this house, in Memorial, Julie designed the two cabinets on either side of the fireplace and had them custom made.  So much prettier than the typical built in cabinets.  


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In the same house, the kitchen leads off the family room.  Here, a zinc top table came from Joyce Horn Antiques and the light fixture is by Restoration Hardware.


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And, another view of the kitchen shows the darling bar stools, designed by Julie and made by The Joseph Company.


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In this new construction house in Tanglewood, Julie used a rug from Creative Flooring.  The beautiful silk curtains are a light blue, taken from the rug’s colors.  The antique mirror came from Watkins Culver and the chandelier is by Niermann Weeks



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Another view of the library.  I love that coffee table with its marble top and gilt legs. 



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And finally, in the same house as the library, across from the family room was this open space.  The owners wanted something pretty to look at and instead of buying just a mirror,  Julie added art work from Cavalier Fine Arts, lamps with Fortuny shades from The Gray Door, and the ultimate – a gilt wooden bow from  Kay O’Toole!   I am so in love with that bow!!!!    I think she did such a great job, taking an insignificant corner and turning it into a wonderful place to rest your eye.   If I ever found a bow like that, hmmm….!

A special thank you to Julie Dodson from Dodson and Daughter.  To visit their web site, go HERE.  Julie promises some new photographs of two big projects in the near future and I can’t wait to see them!  Photographer:  Julie Soefer at 713.529.4700.


AND FOR HOUSTONIANS:  Monique Topping returns with a house full of antique furniture:
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Besides the antiques, Liz Sloss’s jewelry will be featured.


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And, Kathy Slater’s beautiful coffee tables will be there too.  To visit Kathy’s wonderful New Orleans shop, go HERE. 


Be sure to drop by this Thursday – Saturday to see all the merchandise AND the beautiful house!

40 comments :

  1. it's like a virtual visual feast over here.
    thanks Joni!!

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  2. Omgosh...what stunning rooms! And amazing bathrooms. I wouldnt even know where to begin picking a favorite. They are all amazing!

    xxLily
    goldandgray.com

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  3. Oh my - so much gorgeousness to look at. Can I just put Julie on my speed dial. Thanks Joni for a great informative post. I'll be checking out Monique's goodies next Thursday.

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  4. My husband, Mr. Slim Paley, & Sons of Slim are all going to Houston for The Final Four this weekend. I asked if I could come and they said "No" Can you believe the nerve?! Where was I going with this?...Oh right... love the hand painted wall treatment in the first bedroom and that gorgeous shade of pink silk in the pillows. The pink makes the room sing. Bourjois used to make a powder blush in that colour- it was my absolute favourite for years. It even smelled divine.

    PS. I WILL get to Houston one of these days!

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  5. Julie does beautiful work. Those padded and studded doors are going to stick with me. And that bathroom was TDF! So glamourous! *sighs dreamily* Thanks to Julie for letting you share her projects and thanks to you Joni for being pushy for us *winks* Vanna

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  6. Adore Julie's design work especially the bedroms!! Lately those are all my favorite rooms in a home!

    I have a Giveaway from The Zhush I know you will love! Come & join!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  7. The Pink Ribbon Showcase master bedroom...I can see myself there. Of course the bathroom will be the one in Memorial and on and on. Tres jolie!

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  8. *** Such beauty, all in one blog as usual, Joni! You are SOOO dedicated to presenting magnificent settings for us to enjoy, and I THANK YOU!!!

    *** Lots of true talent was shown here, along with a beauuuuutiful dose of restraint where/when needed...

    *** The FIRST DR just "spoke" to me, as did the architecture in sooo many spaces, along with the terrific designs/decorating, much of which was "calling out my name"!!!

    Such a lovely way to end my day!!!

    Warmest thanks again,
    Linda in AZ *
    bellesmom1234@comcast.net

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  9. Beautiful interiors..obviously she is really talented and I like and appreciate her immense attention to detail. Though its more transitional of a look than I use in my own home, this whole look has really grown on me and its such a pleasing and calm, serene asthetic...a real feel good kind of space. Love the colors..the bathrooms..wow and all the bedrooms are sumptious.
    Really beautiful!

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  10. I love the infusion of contemporary art into the otherwise traditional spaces. It's unexpected and refreshing!

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  11. I agree about that first little tufted settee at the foot of the bed. It is both stylish and useful.

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  12. Oh Joni, thank you so much for doing an AMAZING showcase of one of my best friends! Julie is not only an impressive designer, she is a darling person. I have loved watching her talents grow from our tiny little house in college to the amazing homes she now makes even more lovely in Houston and beyond.

    I'm quite partial to the dining room with the wonderful coral curtains. I literally dream about that room.

    ~Lauren

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  13. Your cup runneth over in Houston! What incredible design talent you have there! And I agree with Linda from AZ -- truly great design is much about restraint and editing as much as it is about what to add and where.

    As usual Joni, a top-notch post. I never miss them!

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  14. Joni - She is a really impressive designer, thanks for all these images. The marble flooring in the bathroom is stunning and I love the Pink Ribbon showhouse bedroom. OH...and the necklace too! You all have the best in Houston.

    I posted today on tablescapes by Linda Horsley from a recent trip to Atlanta - thought they might interest you in terms of style and look. Michele

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  15. Oh wow Joni, I am loving Julie's work! Thank you so much for sharing her with us. I have been drooling over every picture and especially love the taupe kitchen!

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  16. What a fabulous showcase of incredible talent. She's clearly doing what she was gifted to do in life! The results are stunning. I can't even pick a favorite room.

    I love it when you feature Houston's local talent. We are blessed with some great shops and some of the world's nicest people!

    Great post!
    Linsey

    P.S. One of my favorite card clients has used Julie Soefer and Segreto. Both are fabulous!

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  17. i LOVE the West University dining room!! LOVE IT!!!! Julie is a wonderful new talent for sure..thanks for introducing her to all of us! WOW! what a stunning portfolio of work!!!!

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  18. Everything is so beautiful. I need some of those upholstered doors, they are amazing !

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  19. Loved the kitchens, bathrooms and the surprise corner across from the library. However, if you are upholstering doors and headboards, why not use leather rather than vinyl?

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  20. What a talent! I loved her room in the pink ribbon house last year, just gorgeous.
    xo~
    T

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  21. I think I captured just about every pic for my design files. So many great ideas and looks. Thanks for posting, these Joni.

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  22. This designer is really talented! Love her design a lot! Thank you for introducing us to Julie!
    xx
    Greet

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  23. Part of me still wants to downsize with our next home. The other part of me really, really wants that kitchen with the two islands.

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  24. CANNOT get past the dining room with the deep persimmon. Absolutely, positively, breathtakingly BEAUTIFUL. She is right up my alley, Joni!

    Thanks for the introduction!

    So jealous that you get to meet Kathy Slater next week! She emailed me about this as well, and as much as I'd love to go, I'm not sure that I will be able to make it. DRATS! You Houstonians get to have all the fun.....

    xoxo,

    Andrea

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  25. Wow, Joni! Such inspiration to be gained from this post. Thanks!

    Karen T.

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  26. I'm in love! So exciting to see such wonderful design work here in Houston. Definitely bookmarking several of these rooms (the Pink Ribbon Showhouse master bedroom and that den with the gorgeous quatrefoil cabinetry are particularly lovely) for future inspiration!

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  27. Great post, Joni! I work for Julie and couldn't agree more with your comments about her work! She does a great job.

    So nice to meet you at the design center!

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  28. You are so lucky that you get to go see some of her work in person. Absolutely gorgeous rooms! Love the mix in of the antique pieces. Thanks for sharing!

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  29. Always inspirational!
    Please come visit my post on my most recent shelter pet in need and enter my GIVEAWAY!

    Andie

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  30. As usual, fantastic post...all the images are so gorgeous! Thank you!

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  31. Another fantastic post!!!! You are so generous to share all this and a big thank you to Julie!!!! If I could afford a decorator, she would be the one! Such a wonderful talent! I loved it all, couldn't pick a favorite! XO, Pinky

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  32. I love her versitility in many venues...From traditional to contemporary she has it down.. Thanks for this glimpse! I too love the "bow"! Maryanne xo

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  33. Love your changes!
    But your home always looks good!
    I LOVE your blog!
    I have learned so much!

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  36. I like the couch next to the bed!

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