COTE DE TEXAS: A Little Bit of This and That

A Little Bit of This and That

 

 

 

image

Today, is a smorgasbord of several different topics: 

First, there are quite a few new Sponsors on Cote de Texas and I hope you will take a minute to visit their web sites.   First, there is Trove’ which sells French antiques and items for the home and garden. Then, there’s EI Home, which sells an assortment of home décor items, Kate Designs – an interior designer who creates wonderful chairs and Best Prices for Furniture – which sells furniture from North Carolina at great prices.  Lacefield Designs sells textiles – pillows, bedding, and lamp shades and Gabby – Décor with a Story sells furniture and other items for the home.  And these are just the newest sponsors!  If you have time,  visit all the others who have been sponsors for a while now.  Many of the great giveaways have been donated by the sponsors and we have several good giveaways planned for the next few months.

I get enquiries almost every day, asking about ads on the blog, but I try to choose those that I think are a good fit with the readers.   I resisted having ads on the blog for three years, thinking it would mess up the design of the blog,  and frankly, I didn’t want to lose editorial control over Cote de Texas.  Neither of these things have happened.  In fact, I think the images of the ads actually add to the look of the blog and are a resource for the reader.  Most important, having the ads allows me to thankfully take less outside design work which gives me more time to spend on research and writing the articles.  And, paradoxically, having the sponsors inspires me to make the blog better and more appealing. 

Most of the sponsors are from around the United States, but a few are local, here from Houston.  One of these local sponsors is Memorial Antiques and Interiors.  I was thrilled when they wanted to be a sponsor because I love their shop.  MAI has over 15,000 square feet of antiques – spread out over two buildings.  There are 55 handpicked dealers and designers who show their wares here – a few of their dealers are from France and other states around the country.  Their dealers sell things you see in magazines – which I love, they are on top of every trend.  They always have a great collection of painted furniture and whitewashed garden items for the interior.  I have never MAI left empty handed – never!  There is always some item I just have to have – or a client has to have.  Here are a few photographs from the dealers to give you an idea of what’s in shop:

 

 

image

Yum.  Those sconces!!  I want those.  Wait – seriously I do.  Remember when we saw some similar ones???

 

 

image

Remember this image from a house Pam Pierce designed?  I thought this was the prettiest sconce I ever saw.  The ones at MAI look very similar!!

 

 

image

I love the chair and table here – but my eye goes straight to the alabaster grapes.  I don’t think you can have too many of them:

 

 

image

I have 5 bunches – here are two in my living room.  I love these particular ones because they are so white!

 

 

image

I could buy this entire booth at MIA.  I love all the yellow confit jars.  This booth is a great one – I’m seeing a lot of customs tags which means it was bought in France and brought back to Houston.

 

 

image

A French armoire that would go great in a Belgian inspired room.  Again – love that tell tale tag.

 

 

image

You can’t have too many mirrors – that’s for sure.  And the shutters.  They are so in right now.  Look how Velvet and Linen’s Brooke Giannetti uses old shutters in décor:

 

 

 

image

Here the Giannettis used shutters to hang art work from in their beach house breakfast room.

 

 

 

image

And at the beach house’s garden – more antique shutters were used to hang pots from.


 

 

image

At MAI, more crusty shutters and a park bench.  But, I’m eying the balls.  I just posted a picture of these same ones that Amy Howard collects:

 

 

 

image

In Amy Howard’s house, she puts the balls in a crusty garden urn.

 

 

image

That wire metal piece would be great to combine an industrial look with an antique look.  Love it.  Great lamps too.  Swedish styled barrel chairs.

 

 

image

This booth at MAI is jammed packed with goodies.   I’m noticing the clocks – two French station clocks on the back walls.  The Visual Vamp has one that I’ve always loved:

 

 

 

image

The Visual Vamp changes her décor more times than I change purses.   I swear.  It NEVER looks the same from month to month.  But, one thing always remains – her set of old shutters (that hides an unbalanced window) and her amazing station clock.  (Confession:  I was the one that told her to put the clock on the shutters and lo and behold it’s been there for years.)

 

 

image

More from MAI – I’ll take it all – the cane settee, the arched window!, the cabinets, the trumeau, the statue, yes!  I love cane – especially settees like this.  The blogger Trouvais has a similar one that I’ve always loved:

 

 

image

Trish, of Trouvais  found this settee missing an arm and she bought it for just $400.  When she got home, she found it was signed, and made in the Paris in the 18th century.  Arm restored, here it is in all its glory!

 

 

image

If you live in Houston or are just passing through, take the time to visit Memorial Antiques & Interiors at 8719 Katy Freeway.   Just do me a favor, give me a chance to buy those sconces tomorrow.  ok? 

Their web site has photos and prices of much of what is in store – so if you are looking for something special, check it out:  www.maihouston.com 

To call MAI:   713.827.8087To email: info@maihouston.com

 

 

image

 

Next up today - take a look at the blog Splenderosa.  She is hosting a by invitation only linky party where bloggers show their hometowns.  Splenderosa is from Houston and presents a beautiful look at our great city.  She was sweet enough to include me in her story - just disregard the horrible, huge picture, yuck.  At the end of the story – be sure to visit all the other bloggers listed who show their hometown - they are from all over the world and most took incredibly,  gorgeous photos.

 

image

The link to the story on Splenderosa is HERE

 

And lastly today, there is a video that is making its way across the globe via www.youtube.com.  It’s amazing how much the internet has changed the world – and for the better – and this video is an example of that power.  It’s about one man – Joseph Kony.  If you’ve never heard of him, you aren’t alone.  NO ONE had heard of him, until this video came out.  After you watch this, you will be stunned that no one had ever heard of him before.  It’s about 20 minutes long, so sit down, and watch it when you have the time to be undisturbed.  It starts off slow and then builds and builds – it has a very important message that no one should ignore – or can ignore, after they watch this. 

 

 

 

You can watch it here – or go HERE to see the video. 

 

 

 

43 comments :

  1. OMG, Joni. I was in Houston about a year and a half ago for work and I made the TREK out to MAI (and a number of other shops) since I had seen it on your blog. I felt like I was in heaven while I was there and I have thought about it often since going. I just WISH we had great shops like that up here in Boston! :( And good for you for getting sponsors. You absolutely deserve it!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Joni. It's always wonderful getting the Joni seal of approval! I love seeing where you shop (I've GOT to visit Houston!)...getting to meet your new advertisers. In short, I pretty much love all the stuff you love, so it's always great to get your sources. Incidentally, I got the metal grape hod behind the canape for $40. That was back when I first start reading you Joni...2008!! Thanks for all your wonderful LONG posts all these years!! Trish

    ReplyDelete
  3. Yes, the video is long - but the suffering has been longer. I encourage everyone to take the time to watch the message now and act on it. Or in April when the world is plastered with the message you will wonder what you missed.

    Thanks for posting this.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Firstly, your dedication to finding fine things is amazing. Even I, a Houstonian, haven't been to MAI...but I WILL go.
    Thank you so much for the nod to my blog, Joni. You cannot imagine how much I appreciate it. Can you even imagine how many new people may come over to me because of your recommendation? You rock !!

    And, the Joseph Kony video? I saw it yesterday, it has been on all the news on TV, and I must say the young man who produced this massive work is to be congratulated and thanked. If only all of humanity worked together for the greater good. What an amazing world we would have.

    For me, I just want to be like you as much as possible.

    xx's

    ReplyDelete
  5. I loved this post, Joni, especially the French antiques that were highlighted. I've been following you for some time and I am always inspired. Although I have been into French antiques for some time now, I'm fairly new to blogging and it's such a vast treasure trove of ideas. Is it too late to send in photos of my kitchen or home to you? I'd love to know what you think. I'm currently reclaiming my first career in interior design. Hugs, Kim www.kimberlyhites.blogspot.com

    P.S. The video of Kony is powerful. I've been seeing it all over FB lately and the man who is behind it should be commended.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Joni, you always find amazing images and find wonderful things to blog about. How do you keep up the fresh content? I have had my blog for about 8 months or so and sometimes I really have to think about what to post. Love your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great post!

    I watched the Kony video early this morning and cried the entire way through. Puts so many things in perspective and makes me feel ridiculous for complaining about day to day things with my kids. Even just now, putting them to bed (they are 5 and 3) was a battle and I am worn out. But I(we) are so blessed and I need to constantly remind myself of that. Thank you for spreading the word about Kony!

    As always, great pictures too! I can't wait to shop MAI as we build our new home.

    Have a nice weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  8. So many beautiful pieces, I love the shutters, the cane settee, the...everything! Congratulations Joni for your many sponsors, well deserved after so much work you put for years into your beautiful blog!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love the pictures you show of lovely old yummy antiques...Love it..I am glad I found your blog....
    Nancy
    wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Stop Kony is thei best thing you have ever shared!
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Agreed!!! Thanks Joanie, for passing on the word! Let's all do it!

      Delete
  11. What a gorgeous store! I have to tell you, though -- the alabaster grapes brought back a memory from when my son was about 3 years old and we were having a play date at someone else's home. She had an arrangement of very realistic looking faux fruit in a wooden bowl on her kitchen table, whereas at MY house we kept a bowl of REAL fruit out to encourage healthy snacking... You should have seen the look on his face when he bit into an apple and got a mouthful of Styrofoam! :-)

    One of your photos from MAI shows what appear to be little seats or stools made from vintage metal pails. Do you know anything else about them?

    ReplyDelete
  12. I saw several things at MAI that would work well in my home and as soon as they're open I'm so calling them! I always check out your sponsors since you have some wonderful ones with fabulous antiques and I've purchased a few. Love your sponsors!

    XX
    Debra~

    ReplyDelete
  13. The TABLE in the Giannettis beach house breakfast room! Is that something that can be aquired in the US? I LOVE that table and have not found anything even close to it. Do you know ?

    melissaelee1@bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks, Joni. I loved the this and that. I'll take the cane settee too-love its lines and curvy French look. Thanks for the great post!

    ReplyDelete
  15. OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! I can't remember when I have EVER seen ANYTHING as powerful as the Joseph Kony video! Cried and cried and cried. Now I intend to share it with everyone I possibly can. Thank you, Joni.

    Love the other stuff you shared today, as always. But the "VIDEO" may be THE MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION you have EVER posted on this amazing blog. I wonder if you have considered putting a direct link to that video in your side bar.

    ReplyDelete
  16. One of these days I have to make a shopping trip to Houston! Lots to love at MAI.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Joni, if only I lived closer so we could go shopping together!!
    Your new sponsors are superb! I love everything you have featured here.
    I will be back to watch the video!

    Xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

    ReplyDelete
  18. One of my favorite things about Houston is the fabulous antique shopping. I don't live far and love coming up for the weekend to go shopping. Love MAI and can not wait to visit again. Also, I am with you on those gorgeous sconses.... LOVE them!! I just started my own blog and would love for you to come and visit. I hope you have a great weekend.

    Sincerely
    Shauna

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thanks so much for posting the kony 2012 video. I have already contacted our school superintendent, local city reps and my temple's leadership.

    Maureen

    ReplyDelete
  20. Thank you for posting that video. MIA is wonderful + all the others. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love you for putting up the KONY video, thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Joni!
    You and I are so often in the same mind set! I have been thinking about taking on sponsors too. I am no where in your league, but plugging along. I think the readership is strong enough to get started. I appreciate the information about your experience here. I was hesitant to do it, but you have settled my concerns.

    Also....LOVE all your eye candy as usual! So funny....I just took out some alabaster grapes from where they have been hiding for a few years and put them front and center in the living room. Maybe I will send you a photo. ;)

    AND, my daughter showed me this Kony video as soon a it came out. So interesting about how plugged in the teens are. There is some controversy about the video as to how accurate it is (the Ugandan government is not innocent either) and what is being done with the funds that the organizations are collecting. But having the awareness build like this is amazing. The bad guys are going to have are much harder time hiding as the world moves forward.

    As always, LOVE visiting your blog Joni!!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Dear friend Joni,
    I came over this morning to tell you that I am headed out to see one of your sponsors today~ Trouve.
    But 29 minutes and 59 seconds later that doesn't really seem to matter anymore.
    Joni, this post you shared will probably be the most IMPORTANT post you will ever write. My prayer is that EVERY single one of your readers, instead of wasting their time watching a mindless sitcom, will watch the video, then visit KONY2012.com

    In November my husband and I made the decision to take our 10 year old son to the Holocaust Museum in Wash. D.C. As we stood looking at an enormous pile of shoes worn by those taken to death camps my son said, "But this doesn't happen anymore right mom?" Sadly, I have to now go and tell him yes, it is still happening. Only it is to children with no shoes.

    I am now a supporter of the goal to arrest Joseph Kony.

    This video WILL be going on my blog.

    Thank you for teaching me who Kony is.

    ReplyDelete
  24. You have such a fabulous memory, Joni...like remembering where you saw the similar sconce. Great post. I saw that video last night...very stirring. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  25. This Kony guy is definitely evil, but our special forces weren't even able to locate the Columbian drug cartels hiding in the rainforests with thousands of hostages.
    How will they EVER find this Kony guy in the Congolese mountain range - which doubles as a jungle? It would be quite an extensive manhunt for sure. And the way our government operates is by arming crazy people to kill other crazy people. Which crazies we support is often political in nature.

    It sounds like an impossibility. I'm also tired of America's imperialist mentality of "civilizing" the world" and "bringing peace".
    It isn't reality. If we have learned anything from history, it is that Western nations cannot "civilize" other countries.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I drooled over the MAI photos. I got excited about Splenderosa. Then watched the video and cried. I absolutely believe finding your fabulous blog was fate! You give us interior beauty and real life all in one setting. We can all learn to appreciate the blessings we have received and help others to be blessed. We are all connected. and I thank you Joni for sharing the message.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hi.
    I have seen the Kony video. I watched it on face book after it was posted by a friend before I saw it on your blog. like others, I watched it and cried and felt very moved by it. then I stated hearing negative things like. where the money you send is actually going and that the video is being made to make us angry so that another war can be started under the appearance of one humanitarian issue when it really is about the oil there. Is any of this sounding familiar? trust me, I am not a conspiracy freak. I am a mom and an interior designer who gets very disturbed by the cruelty in this world. But I also get very angry when I feel I have been manipulated and tricked and that is how I am feeling right now by this video. do a little investigating about this video, it is not hard to find.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Thank you for mentioning the YouTube video, Kony 2012. My husband actually has been in Uganda the past two weeks, and was in Gulu on Tuesday. I don't believe he knows about the video, but will forward the link to him.

    Debbie W.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I love the fact that you now have sponsors because it means that you can keep blogging - I used to worry that the time and effort you put into your blog without reward might make you want to give up. I also noticed that you resisted advertising for a lot longer than other bloggers and it made me feel annoyed that you weren't making the most of opportunities that must have been coming your way (i.e. advertising). If any blogger deserves great sponsors it is you! So, I would like to give a big thank you to sponsors of this blog, unfortunately I'm in Sydney and don't have access to any of the shops but I'm ever in a position to buy from one of your sponsors I most definitely will.

    You are right, it hasn't changed the layout or independence of the blog at all. There are many blogs that I love and follow religiously but yours is my favourite favourite favourite.

    ReplyDelete
  30. IC is basically asking for your money to fund the Ugandan Army to find Kony. The Ugandan Army is responsible for: rape, executions, child solider recruitment, infecting Congolese girls with HIV, & operating prostitution rings. Basically taking your money to support an army with as much blood on its hands as Kony. A true non-profit that loves the people wouldn't involve itself with military action. BTW, Invisible Children is a Christian organization involving itself with a militarized army. There are many legitimate organizations that are honest and not involved with the Ugandan army. Give your money to them.

    Think about this - do we need yet another enemy for the US corporate military to fight....?? For over 70 years we always seem to find another big bad guy to focus on and to justify the incredible military budget, Pentagon-CIA budget, etc......

    ReplyDelete
  31. That was some great this and that!!You always know what is going on in design blogdom!Love that your blog has been so successful! I will be checking some of the things I am already not familiar with out!Maryanne ;)

    ReplyDelete
  32. Just beautiful, especially those sconces and I really like the idea of the shutters for hanging art and in the garden. Your sponsors add to the ambiance here.

    I just watched Kony Youtube yesterday. I've often wondered if I would have been one of the brave ones to stand up against the tyranny of Hitler? Many risked their lives, I would like more documentation and believe more will come. Meanwhile I am praying how I personally can get involved. Thank you the nice blog, Aloha Raliegh

    ReplyDelete
  33. Do some research on Invisible Children before sending money. Only 30% of the money goes to the cause!

    ReplyDelete
  34. i was drooling over MAI; also loved the grapes, the shutters, oh so much! that i was getting quite covetous, then i watched the video. now i feel foolish coveting grapes. the film was quite stirring and the creative 'call to action' begun by just a few is astounding!
    thank you joni
    xo
    debra

    ReplyDelete
  35. Joni, I wanted to make you aware that several Amy Howard pieces went on sale today on GILT.com, including that beautiful blue and gold serpentine chest!

    ReplyDelete
  36. I covet the italian confit jars! I would re-arrange all of my kitchen shelves just for these!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Love this post... so many beauttiful things, a real Pinterest 'repin' heaven! Thanks for sharing.

    Lori

    ReplyDelete
  38. Your ads are great resources because they are hand picked for your readers. I just booked a flight to visit Houston in May for a seminar, and will put MAI on my shopping list. What an amazing inventory!
    I'm fighting off a cold, so I'm spending the afternoon and evening inside today. Which give me the perfect opportunity to watch the video.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Thanks Joni for posting the video.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Joni, I once e-mailed you and you helped me. But today there was a spam e-mail from your mrballbox address. Just wanted to tell you so you would know.
    Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Great pictures! what kind of camera do you use?! loving all images here.

    ReplyDelete
  42. The designs are really great. and we just love the furniture. Rustic and beautiful!

    ReplyDelete