COTE DE TEXAS: Coveritis Wannabe

Coveritis Wannabe

 

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My first cover shot 2007:  Georgie and Sammi Jo.  Actually they wouldn’t sit for a picture together so two pictures of each dog were spliced together to make it look like they really love each other.  They don’t.  Now four years later, almost everything in this picture has changed except for the sofa and chair and lamp. 

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When I first started blogging, another blogger friend, Melissa from The Inspired Room HERE coined the word – coveritis – to describe the affliction of constantly fluffing one’s home to make it worthy of being on a magazine cover – at a moment’s notice.   If you suffer from coveritis you have an irrational fear of your house not always looking good enough to make it into a design book.   Symptoms of coveritis include keeping your house in a state of non-clutter:  all papers, mail, toys, clothes and crafts are always put away immediately -  just in case a stalking photostylist stops by unannounced.  Remember, this is an irrational fear.   To understand coveritis -   imagine it like this – your house always looks like President Obama is on his way for dinner.  

Now, the opposite of coveritis is being a coveritis-wannabe.    You are a coveritis wannabe if you WANT your house to be photo ready at any given time, but it’s not and never will be.  You never file away your bills fast enough and your children’s school work is always spread out over the dining room table.  Your husband takes command of the coffee table and his random magazines and catalogues are center stage instead of your carefully arranged design books.  Your bed is never made before 3:00 pm and more often than not, your bathrooms are littered with wet, used towels.  Usually for a coveritis wannabe, the only room ever photo ready are the never used living room.    As hard as you try and despite how much you wish it was, your house is just never quite ready for that photoshoot.

 

 

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Three years ago, this story appeared in Better Homes and Gardens.   Again, that corner of my family room has completely changed! (Thank God!!)

 

I am without a doubt a total coveritis wannabe.  I’m always futzing around in my house, moving furniture, accessories, and books – trying to get it to look camera ready, but it never really is.   The endless catalogues accumulate, packages are opened but linger around waiting for their final home, shoes never quite make it to the closet, and stuff just grows and multiplies like the octomom’s stomach.   I have endured two actual photoshoots in the past few years, so I know what it means to have my house look camera ready – but, of course a professional stylist accomplished that feat for me.  For both magazine stories, the stress level of whipping my house into cover-ready state was almost unbearable.  In fact, I said, “never again”  to another photoshoot.   That was until Bonnie Broten, Regional Editor for Meredith Corporation, came to town this week and brought a film crew with her.   The last few days were like college hellweek for me while the crew cheerfully took a few pictures of my kitchen for this magazine:

 

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BHG’s Specialty Magazine – Kitchen and Bath Makeovers – done on a small budget.  My kitchen certainly fits that criteria!  The story won’t be in this magazine until Summer of 2012 – such a long wait.

 

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Since I am a coveritis wannabe, I swore I would never again let a photographer into this house.  It’s just too much – too much angst, too much cleaning up, way too much insecurity, just too, too much.  Coveritis sufferers live for their house to be photographed, but for someone with clutter issues, it’s just not fun.   This time, the pictures were taken only of my kitchen for the BHG specialty magazine – Kitchen and Bath Makeovers.    Forget for a moment that I have no clue why they would even want to put my kitchen in the magazine, but why it’s on the cover is truly a mystery.  My kitchen is no big deal.  It’s got so many flaws and it’s so ordinary, I am at a loss as to why they were even here.    I can name a million other kitchens right off the bat that are so much better and more deserving than mine.  Like this one:

 

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Sally Wheat’s kitchen has spawned dozens of copycats.  I can’t tell you how many people have emailed me pictures of their own  “Sally Wheat” kitchen.

 

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Like this one, which was inspired by Sally Wheat.  Homeowner Sara did such a great job – read the story HERE and HERE.

 

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This kitchen in Houston was also inspired by Sally Wheat.  Surely this remodeling deserves a magazine story.  Read about it HERE.

 

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This Houston kitchen, NOT inspired by Sally Wheat (finally!),  is very magazine worthy!   A beauty in gray and white marble and black granite, it was designed by Julie Dodson – read the story HERE.

 

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Remember this stunning kitchen in black and white?   The homeowner designer in Deerfield, Illinois sent in her pictures.   Surely this is more magazine worthy!  Read the story, HERE

 

 

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And then there’s this.   It’s almost embarrassing to show, but here is my kitchen.  Now, keep in mind that since I am a coveritis wannabe, my kitchen is usually not this neat.  I edited it for these pictures. 

 

 

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Here’s how it actually looked the day before the photographers arrived. 

 

 

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Edited picture that I took.  Veddy neat, but so not reality.

 

 

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And in this little corner, I certainly edited the space to take these pictures.

 

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Here’s what it looked like the day before the photoshoot.

 

 

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Cleaned up for pictures.

 

 

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Not so tidy in real life.  Before the crew arrived, I had to move the TV, the water cooler, the boxes,  the files,  the baskets, the lantern, the cloches – all went into the garage.

 

 

 

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The day before the shoot – the crew came by and we started editing even more.  Ben was enlisted to move the ironstone around.

 

 

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He wasn’t too happy about the photoshoot to begin with, much less helping out, but almost falling off the counter was the last straw for him. 

 

 

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The day of the photoshoot was extremely long for me and the dogs.  We are used to extreme quiet during in the day.  It took three hours just to shoot one picture – the cover shot.    The mess was terrible.  Everything from my kitchen ended up in the family room.

 

 

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Photoshoots are so high tech.  The cover shot was approved via internet.   Digital photography  is amazing – each shot was extensively studied on the computer to ensure its perfection before going on to the next one.   The talented Bill Bolin from Bill Bolin Photography HERE was super nice and helpful.  

 

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A huge surprise for me was that the art director wanted the old chairs resurrected from the garage – a mixture of both the new Kooboo chairs and the French chairs were used at the breakfast table.  I wish I could show you how good the pictures looked!  It was amazing how much better the experts made this small space look.

 

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The best part were all the flowers and herbs.    Sammie Jo couldn’t be bothered.  She’s sooo cute!   Stone deaf, but adorable.

 

 

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You have to have thick skin when you invite a team of photostylists into your home.  The head honcho directed that my baskets come down from above a bank of cabinets.  Well…how DARE he??!!!!   The large chicken coop basket?? was bought at Joyce Horn Antiques HERE about 15 years ago.  Each year my parents gift Ben and I with a check for our anniversary and that year I took the check and bought the only thing at Joyce’s that I could afford – that basket!    The other basket is a small antique pet carrier which I love.   After the baskets were taken down, I had to admit I liked it better without them, so into the garage they both went – I’m not putting them back out.  My garage is such a wasteland.

 

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When it was all over and my kitchen was put back together, I got to keep all the herbs.   I love them – they are so fragrant.

 

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The TV came back out from the garage (which I hate, but my family insists we have one in that room.)  The herbs add a nice touch of greenery to the bakers rack.   One change that I made for the photoshoot was the pillows from Restoration Hardware which were added to the wicker chairs.

 

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But, the best item left over were the glorious peonies!  Aren’t they gorgeous?   All in all, despite all the hard work, the photoshoot was a great experience.  The photographer couldn’t have been nicer and the stylist Bonnie, one of the best in the business, was very helpful – making me see my kitchen through different eyes.   Since I am a die hard coveritis wannabe, a few days later the kitchen was back to looking cluttered and messy, as usual.  The story won’t be out until the summer of 2012!  Such a long time to wait.  

I would love to do a survey – are you a coveritis sufferer or a coveritis wannabe?   I wonder which affliction would win????   AND, if you think you have a house or kitchen that is magazine worthy, send me the pictures and I’ll forward them to  Bonnie.  She’s always looking for new stories to pitch.

 

A huge thank you to Bonnie, Blaire, and Bill!!!!

 

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AND, NOW FINALLY:

I’ve been so fortunate to host a large amount of giveaways.  The gifts have been wonderful – vendors have donated jewelry, antiques, custom paintings,  hotel rooms, and even very pricey chandeliers.   It’s been great fun to run these contests and I’ve loved that so many of you have won something great.   While I usually am on the giving side, I was shocked to hear that I had won a giveaway from another blogger -

Silk Robe Short.

And no, that’s not me.  Snort.   That’s a model from from Manito’s web site.

 

I won this beautiful silk robe made by Manito Luxury Silk & Linen HERE.  The giveaway was hosted by Brillante Interiors blog, written by Renaissance woman,  Albarosa Simonetti.  If you have never visited her blog, do so HERE – she writes about interior design and travel – all with an Italian beat!  Thanks a million Albarosa!!!

 

 

                                                                                               

114 comments :

  1. Mmmmwwwwahhh! I *heart* you, your blog, and your fantastic outlook on life. I hope Ben wore his slipper socks when he climbed up on that gorgeous counter. Can't wait to see the mag!

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  2. I love your kitchen!!! I think it is totally magazine worthy,it has texture and character. All your lovely pieces photograph beautifully!! I think I have coveritis. I am a neat freak so I keep things pretty tidy. I just love looking at it that way. Nothing pleases me more than a clean house with shiny counters and faucets. Just love that!! Can't wait to see the cover and congratulations!! kathysue

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  3. I am both a sufferer and a wannabe, I suppose. Depends on my mood. Just don't open my closets!!
    Can't wait to see your new spread!!

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  4. I just love you Joni. We were brought together by our cover-itis :-) Congrats, you totally deserve to have a home in all the magazines and all the covers. It is amazing!!
    xo

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  5. Joni-
    Your kitchen is gorgeous. The marble is beautiful.. I would worry about someone that kept a perfect kitchen.
    They did a great job. I can't wait to see the magazine.
    Teresa
    xoxo

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  6. College Hell Week! That is too funny and made me realize how you felt instantly. They want to show your kitchen because it is gorgeous and attainable for many. That is why. I can't wait to see it in the issue. I am a wannabe. I try to keep it all neat but then I get busy working on a project and before I know it stuff is everywhere. I'm good about keeping the living room and dining room in tip top shape...usually unless there is a project in there. I was contacted about a possible magazine shoot...if I'd finish my bedroom and send photos but honestly I don't know if I could take the stress. All my dogs would have to go somewhere too. Not because they are so bad but because they would all try to escape in the chaos. I love seeing your kitchen though...it is one of my favorites.

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  7. Joni, fun & totally accurate post; Romantic Homes did a holiday shoot at our house and it was indeed exciting, but lots of prep work. It is totally worth it to see your home on the cover!

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  8. *** BRAVO n' CONGRATS, Joni! Yessireebob, there's alot of WORK involved in this project, but gosh! What a "payback/pat-on-the-back" to Y*O*U~~~ and I KNOW you are thrilled to have your Y*U*M*M*Y kitchen on the FRONT PAGE (even if it's just "SOOO PERFECT" for that final day of shooting, before "life returns to normal"!)...

    There are just two of us... (no kids, etc.) & our two LOVES, 2 medium-sized German Shorthaired Pointers, are NEVER any trouble at all... many times I think our house looks tooooo neat, (IMHO)...In fact, even our cleaning lady, who comes once a week & KNOWS she has an "easy" job, despite the large size of our home, tells people she's been coming here weekly for over 6 years and there's just not much to CLEAN!!! (I told her we could cut her pay in 1/2 if she'd like, or, we could go thru the house the night before she comes & make a huuuuge mess... JUST FOR HER to clean up!~~~ we BOTH got a good chuckle out of that one!)...

    For ME/US, our home MUST look good, clean and organized~~~ yet, STILL be comfy & have flair... not always easy to do, huh? I think having fresh flowers around all the time really HELPS, too! (And I have orchids that like ONE CERTAIN AREA, & just THRIVE there!)...

    Again, CONGRATS~~~ I AMMMM so disappointed tho, that we'll have to wait so long til we get to see the pictures in the mag!!! (Plz tell Mr. Sock-Man HE should be proud of you, AND your home, too! Then again, I think he already HAS!)...

    Warmest,
    Linda in AZ *
    bellesmom1234@comcast.net

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  9. love your kitchen! i'm sure you've blogged the answer...but what color are the walls and cabinets...feather gray??

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  10. you won the robe to wear in your new master bedroom, lucky you.

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  11. I can't believe that someone as talented as you needs any editing....I can't even live through a realtor photo shoot!

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  12. Oh Joni Your house is swoon worthy of any of the shelter magazine readers.

    I know what you mean though, it is like keeping your home perfect for showings!

    Congrats on the gorgeous robe!! I adore Alberosa!

    New Giveaway will be up on the 1st!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  13. Congratulations Joni! I love your kitchen! Can't wait to see your issue in 2012. God bless your Ben for scaling the heights for you *winks* Flowers and candy are great for sure, but a hubby who'll risk his neck for a photo shoot is a keeper! Lol! Vanna

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  14. Love it all! Btw, it looks like you got a new clock to replace the one that got smashed. Can you please tell us where you purchased it? Would look much better than the one I bought at Target. Thanks!

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  15. 1. I think it is very cool you house is photographed for magazines. I'm a cover wannabe.
    2. The Sally Wheat styled kitchens look austere to me. I think a kitchen and a house should look lived in but I about fell off my chair when you described how the husband takes over the coffee table. Have you been peeking into my home? Only with my husband, it's thick technical books, magazines bible and study materials and the mini-helicopter he flies inside the house to the detriment of the plants. Confetti anyone?

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  16. ...oh joni...don't you know by now there is nothing ordinary about you...or your beautiful home...i am certain that there are many many people who have joni-itis...love your kitchen...and puppies...and herbs...and i think you should put those baskets back...or...you could do a give away...how many of us would love to have a little bit of joni in our homes...

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  17. Oh, Joni! I can't wait to see your kitchen in print. But, me! Oh my! 2012 is sooooooo long away. Thanks for giving us a peek at what is to come.

    I absolutely LOVE your kitchen!!! I think you sell yourself waaayyyyy too short. You have tremendous talent and a heart as big as Texas! ;)

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  18. Joni,

    One thing that I admire the most about you is how down-to-earth you are. Your blog is a big success because of that. Your talent is incomparable, but your personality makes it shine even more.

    Your kitchen is an inspiration, and yes, it's perfect in so many level and you know why we love it so much, because it's a REAL one. The size is perfect, it's not the size of a "stadium" like we usually see in magazines and blogs. Your kitchen feels accessible to all of us to dream to have one just like that, because the space is accessible to many of us. Do you get it? We actually can dream with that... :-)

    xo


    Luciane at HomeBunch.com

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  19. Hi, I'm a fairly new follower here. Congrats on your new magazine cover. And now a big THANK YOU for being sooo realistic. I'm definitely a coveritis wannabe. You have just described me to a T! As we speak, my beautiful new kitchen is so untidy, it makes me cringe: a basket of clean underwear, a box of (new) cat litter to be brought down, still some unpacked boxes (we have recently moved), dirty dishes on the counter, groceries that still need to be put away, my husband's tools on the island, dust of course, my daughter's icepack and meds from her just getting her wisdom teeth out...I could go on! It's called life. We all do it. But it's nice, isn't it, for an instant, to know that once in a blue moon, your house maybe magazine worthy!

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  20. As a long time wannabe, I laughed out loud at this post. The fact is that on any given day there is s&*# everywhere because I have two teens, a two year old, and a husband, who know that no one is really coming to photograph our house. The dog laughs when when I get out the vacuum, thinking, "I've got more fur where that came from!" Lord help them all when we have company on the way! I go nuts.
    Your kitchen is fabulous and very worthy of the cover.
    Great post!

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  21. Loved reading this post Joni! so many fun moments in it, that I could relate to...yes I am a wannabe. I don't know how people have neat homes when you have dogs and husbands and kids who don't suffer from wannabe-itis! I Love you kitchen and am so happy to hear it will be the covergirl!! Your hubs scaling the counters was fun to watch, cuz that is what happens around here. And to think of all the "editing" that you endured, your garage must now be yard sale heaven. I liked the little clock you moved into the kitchen over the window. Is it tole? I also love your marble counters, they make the kitchen!!

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  22. Well, I can't wait to see the final pictures in the magazine. I'm sure all the stress will be worth it! I have friends whose homes are worthy of a cover any time of day. One of my friend's pantry is alphabetized - everything. How can you do that!! Her home is totally organized and spotless at all times. I want that and yeah, suffer from wanting it but not able to execute it. I think the key is having a husband on board and willing to enslave himself to achieve this lofty goal!!

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  23. What more can be said? Your kitchen IS mag-cover worthy! I also loved the Sally Wheat kitchen and yours is just as special. The Springer in the family room is laying perfectly alongside the iron dog....what a hoot! Can't wait to see the magazine...please remind us when it's out.

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  24. Joni your kitchen is gorgeous!! I can't wait to see the final pics. I don't suffer from coveritis, yet, but that's because I have a baby and have had to deal with the reality that primary colors will be scattered about my blue and white home for at least the next 5 or 6 years. My best friend's house was in Southern Accents one year and when we saw the pictures of her library we were like, "where are the Dr. Pepper cans and the big jar of goldfish is missing from the coffee table?" My mom suffers from coveritis big time. Her house is full of styled vignettes that change every time I come home. I'm doing a blog post tomorrow with some pictures. Thanks for sharing the behind the scenes!

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  25. This post was such a great way to start my Memorial Day!!! Thanks so much!! I am definitely a Coveritis Wannabe!! This week you couldn't even walk through our kitchen and family room because our #2 came home after graduating from college--with all of his stuff. And, you know what, I wouldn't have it any other way!!! I kind of dread and I kind of look forward to the time when it is just my husband and me. Still have one at home in high school and I am trying to cherish every day. How did Elizabeth's Freshman Year go? Love you, love your family and wish you all the very best. Cote de Texas gives this reader SO MUCH PLEASURE.
    THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!

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  26. I finally have a diagnosis for my type A obsession with design and Coveritis is it! I am a long time interior designer and have been featured in a local magazine, but everytime I decorate, I think of how it would look in a magazine! I agree that the photo shoots are exhausting and I always decorate for the picture perfect shot. I would love for you to look at my portfolio and see if my designs are worthy of a second look with your photographer. I am always insecure sharing the pictures for fear that I am not worthy!

    I am currently thinking of remodeling my master bathroom and I recall when they did my photo shoot, they took one look at my bath and politely passed on taking a photo. Since then, I have driven myself (and my husband) crazy trying to figure out how to remodel my bath to be magazine worthy!

    I love your blog and especially adore theskirtedroundtable for your interviews of my favorite designers! Your blogs help me relate to other designers that share my passions!

    My online website is www.eflairhome.com and select Collections to see my work (it takes a few seconds to load). My personal home is Touch of Tuscany and my mother's home is French Flair. The Beach Blues was a client project. I styled and photographed them myself, so they are not as magazine ready as I would like.

    Thanks for your inspiration and I love your designs!

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  27. My email is lgarrison@eflairhome.com.

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  28. You are way to hard on yourself. Your kitchen is beautiful and magazine cover worthy.
    My home is almost always neat and organized. Even my closets, cabinets and pantry are organized. All labels facing forward. I hate clutter and am always picking up. So I guess I have coveritis!

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  29. Ha! I love your "real" life shots! And, as everyone else mentioned...your kitchen is gorgeous...and YOU!

    Congrats on the photo shoot! My bathroom is in the Mag that you featured.. (it took forever to go in the mag...I even forgot about it!)

    I LOVE when my house is clean and tidy...but the reality is it is not. off to do laundry. sigh.

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  30. Will your kitchen not look dated in some respects if the publication is only in 2012? While marble and your style faucet will still be a classic, your cabinets are already dated, particularly the bottom ones.

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  31. WOW! ok first off- what the hell is wrong with "anonymous" commenter above me? Seriously!! some people have no manners!!!!!!!!
    and 2nd- I am soooo excited for you and your kitchen is wonderful, chic and classy! and there is a reason they chose it for the COVER! Way to go girl!!!

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  32. Oh, I was going to say something totally different, but I am so furious at the anonymous post right before me...please delete it Joni! What a nasty comment. The cabinets are NOT dated, and if you have nothing nice to say "Anonymous" don't say anything at all! Where ARE your manners?
    Stacy

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  33. Oh, haha, Amanda beat me to it....I mean the comment TWO before me

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  34. Having had one photoshoot, actually two, and not in my own house, but a designer's show house, I can sympathize. The scale was much smaller on the second, and I was asked to bring in something to add to the corner as the plants were not scheduled to be delivered until after the shoot. So, as it was a western themed boy's bathroom, I found some cowboy boots, a hat and a small stand painted to go with the theme.
    I am a coveritis wannabe. Cookbooks cover my kitchen desk, kids moving here and there mean china and apartment flostom and jetsam all over the living room and dining room. Magazines pile up and fall over next to my chair in the family room. I have at least pulled the plug on some of the dead silk flowers accumulating about the house. What was I thinking? Oh yeah, I was thinking that cats don't eat silks.
    Paula ~ Mise en scène

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  35. LOVE your kitchen!!!!! I am adding it to my Pinterest board! so much inspiration!! I am going to be painting our cabinets this summer and I have an empty nook wall- all of this gets me excited to jump on this project. I am definitely a Coveritis. Piles everywhere! Including dog hair- we have a pug and they shed terribly. *sigh* I would never feel magazine ready. Love the other kitchen photos as well. Congrats, can't wait to see the magazine next summer!!

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  36. Oh I am a wannabe all the way!! I read all the design blogs and have a stack of ripped out magazine pics on the coffee table. BUT, I cannot seem to translate those beauties into my own home on my non-existant budget! That being said, I loved all the kitchen you highlighted. When I scrolled down to one pic I thought "aha! that's the one I like best!". I scrolled down a few more lines to find that it was your kitchen! LOVE!

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  37. Joni, Love the paint color in your breakfast nook. What is the color again?

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  38. Good for you, Joni! And thanks for enduring the stress of the shoot! It will be fabulous to see you in 2012!
    Shame on that ANONYMOUS commenter. That kitchen rocks and you should be extremely proud of it and every room in your home. We love seeing how you live. I am learning through the comments that battling clutter is a day to day endeavor for MOST of us!
    Thanks for keeping it real!

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  39. 2012????? Dern! Well, I've been fortunate to SIT in that kitchen. And, there is nada ordinary tidbit in it. It exudes class, coziness and comfort with a dollop of pizzazz. You deserve the cover of many a magazine!

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  40. Isn't it fun to see your home through another set of eyes. Having been a stylist/AD I can understand the mess they made but left behind sweet herbs+flowers. Great Post. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

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  41. This is one of my favorite Cote de Texas posts ever! Thank you so much for this behind-the-scenes look at an interior photo shoot. Most people think the homes they see in magazines look that way all the time; that the magazine photographer just walks in and starts snapping pictures. Trying to live up to this fantasy of interior perfection can be just as debilitating as comparing ourselves to the airbrushed models on the covers of the fashion magazines. I'm sure your kitchen will look stellar in the magazine, but I prefer it garnished with the evidence that it's lived in and loved... by a fellow Starbucks junkie who occasionally watches television when she isn't busy writing her fabulous design blog!

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  42. P.S.: I'm a total neurotic wannabe who lives in chaos with a messy husband and two rowdy little boys. I am perpetually fearful that a client will drop by unexpectedly and lose all confidence in my abilities as a designer when they see my chaotic, cluttered, half-decorated home!

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  43. Coveritis wannabe! And I would like to come shopping at your garage wasteland! Something tells me it's a treasure trove!

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  44. Joni- Your kitchen and home are beautiful!! Absolutely cover worthy!!!

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  45. This post absolutely cracked me up! I am indeed a wannabe! My mother-n-law is staying with us while recovering from hip surgery and has taken to our dining room table as her office away from home! I cannot begin to explain my anxiety. I just know someone will want to drop by and photograph my room and it looks like Office Depot threw up on my beloved table! Thank You for being real about how we really live versus how we want to live!

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  46. Congratulations, Joni! Well-deserved recognition!

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  47. Dear Joni, I share your pain... perhaps we could start a support group! It was refreshing to see your day-to-day home, but can't wait to see the magazine.

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  48. Hey, Joni! Your kitchen is definitely deserving of being in a magazine, don't kid yourself on that. You've done a wonderful job & all the moving stuff around is so normal. Don't we all do that?! Enjoy your day in the spotlight again. I would love to get in a magazine one day, but since I don't have a house at the moment, it's not likely to happen anytime soon. I will just live vicariously through you& others. I think most of us live with clutter too, many days.

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  49. I thought that this was so fun and really appreciate your honesty and humor--it is part of what makes your great blog so addictive! Congratulations on your cover shoot--come on, it's the cover, open up the champers!

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  50. Bravo Joni!! I love your kitchen and know it will look FABULOUS on the cover! Congratulations on another cover. This behind the scene was so fun, thank you for sharing it with us.

    I love this coveritis or wanabee topic. I had a similar conversation with Dan just weeks ago... I was explaining to him that it was only through blogs that I learned that houses were "styled" in magazines- that they sometimes bring in "props" (furniture, baskets, flowers) I just assumed people lived like that. So growing up and using Southern Accents/Veranda/HB/House&Garden/etc. as my design bibles for 30 years;) I learned to emulate that by mistake! This came up recently when I was asked if I had to clean up the master bath before I took pictures, I didn't. Because of the above story my house is generally always clean. Does it get messy- SURE!, but then is quickly cleaned up. For me personally it is also a psychological issue- I dislike clutter- it makes me "feel" well, cluttered inside!! So, because I dislike that feeling and because sometimes it feels like the only thing in life one can "control";) I control my clutter! It's along the lines of why I make my bed even though no one but me sees it- it makes me feel better! If it's not obvious in my above dissertation;) I think that interior design is not just about having a "pretty" house, but has tons to do with psychology!
    Oh, and ironically I do not move things around all the time. I find a happy place for an item and it will stay for years!
    Congrats again on this great cover!
    xxjoan

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  51. Congrats Joni on your cover! I agree that you are too hard on yourself, but I am the same way. I am glad all your hard work is paying off. You deserve good things to come your way.

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  52. I can't believe you let them take down the baskets ! I love them !
    are you getting rid of them ? by any chance? I want them !

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  53. I am definately a coveritis. With grown children and a husband that travels quite a bit, it's easy to keep the place ready for my (never to happen!) photo shoot:) It doesn't stay that way for long once hubby gets home. That's OK because I go back and forth wanting my home to be perfect or lived in and welcoming. Your kitchen is fantastic and looks great in all the pictures....photo shoot day and the day before. Love your blog and I have gotten so many great ideas and things to dream about for the future. Thanks and Happy Memorial Day.

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  54. I am a wannabe so much....I just am envious of those who can keep it tidy all the time!! Joni....you deserve the cover!! An you deserve the silk robe! Send us a pic of you in your robe with Mr. Slipper Sox...:D

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  55. My initials may be CH but I am a born-again CW in flying colors!
    Thank you for sharing what the rest of us see all the time...a lived in home!
    You are the best!
    Love your bog!
    Chris

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  56. The bottom cabinet drawers look like drawers from a 50's cottage. The style of the doors are fine, but with not much money new drawers could have been crafted. Marble and nickel and a few old baskets thrown on top of the uppers do not change the look of the drawers. This was the choice of the owner (Joni) and if that is her taste so be it, but it doesn't mean that others are not seeing the obvious. I suppose people who remodel put their money where they most value its impact. A slab of marble with phony double thickness on top of old drawers doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

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  57. IGNORE IGNORE the 4:06 above....unhappiness and misery rearing it's ugly head again.

    Joni,
    PLEASE enter the Country Living Blue Ribon Blogger Awards!! YOu deserve a trip to New York City!! Do it...please!! You will definitely receive a whole lotta votes from many devoted fans!

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  58. Coveritis for sure as I like things organized. Loved your baskets on top of the shelf! I've neutered the tops of all my kitchen cabinets recently and it feels so naked now. And I am liking the look -- breathing room! would rather the eye not travel up the ceiling and may do some framed art on the kitchen counter. I've been thinking about interesting baskets up there and now you took yours down!

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  59. Congrats on your kitchen styling Joni but I've been there done that and I don't ever want to have my home in a magazine again. What was supposed to take a day took four days the first time, three the second and they rearranged my house, changed it. So I was wondering what was it they liked about my home that they wanted to photograph? It was stressful, messy but after that I got bored. So I'm out on the coveritis wannabe...fun term though!

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  60. Our farmhouse kitchen has been on the cover of a magazine (New Old House). From time to time, I get the magazine out and rearrange things to look like the photo.

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  61. Joni, I have lurked for a long time so enjoying your blog, but never commented. Your honesty in these pictures has renewed my self-esteem. I look at the clutter here in my own home & think I'm the only one! Love your style, love your kitchen, & love those doggies, too.

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  62. Congratulations, Joni. And your kitchen is so inspiring because it's very elegant.

    As for coveritis - I've got about the worst case I can imagine. My house is always neat. It does help that I'm not much of a cook, I guess. You can look in my closets, too. If there's an opposite to being a hoarder, I'm it. I do have a craft space in the basement where things can get a bit messy, depending on the projects I'm working on.

    OTOH, nothing makes me happier than having friends and family come by, say ooh and aah, and then mess it up with their stuff (and good company).

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  63. Oh Joni, your kitchen is just fine, looks fab and deserves to be photographed. I only wish I suffered from either of these two maladies, but, alas, I rent, so my kitchen is HIDEOUS and not ready for prime time!!! I wish! Maybe my living room couch and my bedroom, which I am trying desperately to rehab, would be mag-worthy, but I think that's pushing it! :0

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  64. Who is this person commenting on your drawers? (Hee!) I mean, really, how dated can a plain, white-painted flat piece of wood be? This person is a real piece of work; they sound like a frustrated decorator with a big ego and not a lot of real experience. Your kitchen is lovely. Never heard anyone get so wound-up about drawers.

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  65. Congratulations Joni:

    Your kitchen is beautiful and no one that really lives in their home has it camera ready all the time. Can't wait to see the pictures - only wish it was sooner. Thanks for sharing.

    Janice

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  66. Thanks Joni~
    This was so much to kind of be there with you during your photo shoot .... without actually having to live through it!!
    Your kitchen will make a fantastic addition to the magazine.

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  67. Ha! Can so relate. Definitely a wannabe. Even though I like things clean and orderly, I'm not obsessive or a control freak. I learned years ago if I didn't want to be a total nag or feel resentful or make myself crazy following my children and husband and dog around with a broom, dust pan, Windex and rag, I needed to relax my standards and, well, relax. As for myself, I confess to a bit of a problem with magazines and books. But a house is to be lived in and should reflect the lives of the people in it. And I've heard so many stories about photoshoot fakery (e.g. flowers propped outside of windows), not to mention Photoshop that I figure very few NORMAL people live like that anyway. How many women look like cover girls either? And think of the mess they have to make to get those pictures! There's definitely a difference between a house that is styled for a magazine shot and one on a typical day in a busy family home. I suppose those with full-time servants would not fall into this category. Congrats on your cover story! Hope you've had a chance to relax and recover.

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  68. the rude anonymous poster shows up , transparent as can be, on almost every joni post. again, if it werent so pathetic , it would be funny. the obvious agenda is not to present a differing opinion, which is welcomed, but to personally attack joni. for someone who so despises joni's taste and envies her success, they sure are spending alot of time lurking around her blog. loyal, loyal reader of her blog for sure.

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  69. Your kitchen will make a fantastic addition to the magazine. I like your way to describing it very superb way.

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  70. I'm anxious to see your kitchen. Congrats. I wonder if I have that '07 copy of House & Home around? What has happened? I can't find the mag on the rack any longer?

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  71. Thank you for diagnosing my affliction. Knew I had it, didn't know what to call it, Coveritis. Constantly arranging and staging for the cover picture that is never coming. Annoying because we don't really live like a magazine cover what with a hairy dog and a husband that thinks dirty socks should be part of the decor. Love your blog.

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  72. I def have coveritis wannabe. Too much stuff- papers from my daughter's school, mail, magazines..... Love the pic's of Mr Slipper Socks! He really and truly loves you! lol.I totally agree with the commenter, who said the new robe is meant to be yours with your glamourous new bedroom!!!!
    -linda,ny

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  73. Yet again, a wonderful and fun article. Love your kitchen and so much fun to learn it doesn't always look perfect!!! You are a fab woman and I so enjoy all your blogs. Thanks for naming the problem I have, being afflicted with coveritis! Always wondered why I am constantly cleaning, picking up and re arranging things. Thought I was the only one with the problem. I have had my kitchen photographed. If I can figure out how to forward to you I will...
    Thanks again for all your creative blogs.
    Suzanne from California

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  74. Your kitchen IS magazine-worthy! I love when magazines feature REAL kitchens for REAL people...just lovely. BTW... Where did you get your tall skinny cloches on the island?

    Kristy- www.starfishcottage.typepad.com

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  75. I'm a wanna be, and YOU KNOW IT! But you're always welcome to forward along pictures of my house. You know how much I'm dying to get into a magazine!

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  76. Not only is your kitchen gorgeous but your whole house is as well. I noticed that you have black doors in your bedroom and in your kitchen. Sometime if you have the chance would you please tell us about the inspiration for your color choice.

    Anonymous,but not the rude one.

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  77. I think I fall somewhere in between. For the most part things look pretty good all the time, except for my office and the closets. I'm a big stuffer, because I want things to look good. I'm also constantly arranging and changing things.

    The big question is did you keep the combination of chairs or take the two old ones back to the garage? Very curious because I really like both sets.

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  78. Joni.... thanks so much for giving us the opportunity to laugh out loud WITH you, and at ourselves.. YEP.. Little did I know I was afflicted with C.W... ( don't knock with out an appointment!) Two dogs, gates in front of every hallway-all their toys making the house look like a preschool.. and a hangup about throwing junk mail out....
    Love your whole house, and the inspiration I get from you... STILL daydreaming about your new bedroom.... so glad you got a lovely new robe to lounge in while there...
    Maybe if that cranky ANONYMOUS would either laugh out loud once in awhile, or drink a big glass of prune juice.. they would find life is really worth living, and not be so inclined to nitpic all the time!
    LOL
    Alice A

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  79. Joni,
    LOL..I'm definitely a "coveritis wannabe". Let me just say this about your kitchen...it is one of my all time favorites and I've saved every picture you have posted in a file called "favorite rooms". I think your kitchen is so stylish while being so warm and inviting and real. I could relax with a cup of coffee in your kitchen. I love the Kooboo chairs and the marble you have. It's wonderful. I'm only bummed that I have to wait until Summer 2012 to see the spread in the magazine.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Karen

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  80. Your kitchen is fabulous and believe me I know the struggle to take interior pictures. Styling for photography is totally different from decorating.
    I hope you'll enjoy the robe also at breakfast time... and thanks for mentioning my blog and Manito giveaway.

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  81. Joni, I fall somewhere between the two. As a designer I am always looking at my house to see what needs to be updated and revised (drives my husband crazy!). I just love your kitchen and am so happy for your upcoming cover!! I love to design kitchens and have a beautiful one I finished last fall. Pictures are on my website www.timelessinteriorsdesign.com if you would take a look (the first one is mine, second one is the one I recently finished). I would love to have it published!! I can send you a file to forward to Bonnie if you think she would be interested. Thanks so much!! I love your blog, always so beautiful and interesting!

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  82. Joni, Your kitchen was my inspiration! Look forward to seeing it in print! Love how your personality shines through on your cool website. So proud you are a fellow Texan!

    Julie in Fort Worth

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  83. Without a doubt a coveritis wannabe! You described me to a tee. ha ha! I'm also a decorator wannabe!! Love your blog. Maybe I'll run in to you one of these days around Houston! You have a gorgeous kitchen and home. Cheers!

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  84. joni, what an exciting day and time for you! i always enjoy hearing about the 'behind the scenes' of a magazine shoot. your kitchen (and home) is gorgeous!

    thanks for linking over to our kitchen....and while a magazine cover would be fun, the reality of our life (5 kids and homeschooling) means there is no way i could give 'coveritis' a place in my life.... :) but that name is clever! this seems to be fine though...seeing as they completely tear the house apart anyways in order to get the right shot!

    congratulations joni! well deserved...looking forward to seeing it!!! :) :)

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  85. We love your website. Great visuals and all about helping people get inspired about their homes...We are all for that here and glad to see all the creative works you are doing! Great job!

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  86. Bless you my dear bless you. I've been released from the sham, guilt and embarrassment, yah, the humiliation of never being able to live up to the standards set in magazines. Amen, Ann

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  87. Oh my Gawd! Thank you sooooo much for posting the pics of your not-so-photo-ready kitchen! I struggle every single day with being a coveritis wannabe. I live with 4 boys (3 kids, 1 husband), 2 cats and 3 dogs and just getting out of bed in the AM makes me depressed sometimes. Shoes, socks, cups, video game chargers, etc. LITTER my home! You have made my week, Joni! Love you bunches!

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  88. Finally there's a name for my sickness...Coveritis wannabe! It totally fits me! You did an amazing job pulling it all together for the photo shoot...stressful and exciting I'm sure!
    Can't wait to see your beautiful kitchen in the magazine!

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  89. So funny, the term "covertis wannabe" I think that could apply to a lot of us. Even in a disarry your kitchen is beautiful!! It looked beautiful for the photo shoot....I LOVE your scalloped slipcovered chairs..so gorgeous!

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  90. You really have milked this cow for all it's worth, right Joni? Now let's move on to some really noteworthy kitchens. I have noticed that when you really need that pathetic ego of yours fed, the posts generally stay up longer. Grow up, girl.

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  91. So well deserved Joni!

    xo kelley

    ps bonnie told me about the sweet peas!
    I love them too ; 0 )

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  92. Well, anytime they want to come for my photo shot they can call me. In the mean time it will be tidy one day and messy the next. I would not want it any other way.

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  93. I love the window above your sink!
    Bless you and have a relaxed weekend!

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  94. WHAT A COMPLIMENT!!!!! I WILL BE LOOKING FOR THAT MAGAZINE NEXT YEAR LIKE THOUSANDS OF OTHER BLOGERS. MY WON'T THAT GIVE THAT MAGAZINE QUITE A BOOST IN REVENUE????? PERHAPS THAT IS ANOTHER VARIABLE FOR BEING CHOSEN AS WELL. LET'S FACE IT ... YOU ARE THE INTERNET BLOGGER QUEEN!!!! (AND WITH ME AS WELL). CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

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  95. Just imagine if Anonymous (7:04) gets this jealous over your blog about the article, what will he/she do when the magazine comes out? Get in the fetal position? I think the one who needs to grow up is quite obvious :) Looking forward to the article Joni!

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  96. Hi Joni - Thanks for such a great post and for showing us your FAB kitchen! It is gorgeous and very calming and classy; except, of course, for the soda can, coffee cup and plastic bag...he he :) I truly enjoy your blog; it's a bright spot in my week and you ALWAYS make me laugh; especially loved the "Snort" comment regarding the robe model! :) I'm still laughing when I think of you saying that...

    Best,
    Sheralyn

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  97. For all of you who have been swooning for a week, sober up. This is an ordinary kitchen by all standards of today's kitchen design. If you would open your eyes for at least half a second and stop the fawning, you might even recognize that the hardware is probably Top Knob which was hot in the 90's. Fast forward to 2012 and this kitchen will not measure up to most of the kitchens being featured by Houe Beautiful or any other mag. as a great renovation. Yes, I know that the cult of personalty is quite strong here, but I would suggest you use your brains occasionally and think through the process. There are millions of kitchens out there just like this one and they are fine kitchens. Magazine worthy, not really. So you think I am jealous? Not hardly. I have a great kitchen, with counter space at least triple that of this kitchen, in addition to a "summer kitchen". There is nothing to envy here. It just looks dated (not a sin by any means) and it will be all the more so in 2012.

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  98. Joni...congratulations! You should be very proud of your what you've accomplished in your home...it deserves to be seen and obviously, many agree! Thank you for sharing so much of your love of home with us all, you're the best!
    One question...is Georgie really watching TV?
    xo J~

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  99. I do hope you have plans to write a book one day with lots of tips on things like having one's home cover ready and afflictions we all suffer from such as coveritis and blogitis too...Currently I suffer from renovationitis and cannot wait for the day that my dog and I have one moment of quiet. He has a daily bark fest with all the workers and by the end of the day, I have severe flopitis. I flop into bed, dog tired. I think it is wanting it all to be picture perfect under all the rubble and dust.
    That Ben of yours is a keeper.
    pve

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  100. Coveritis is hilarious! My mother gave it to me by forcing me to fluff every pillow after I got up from the sofa. Now I suffer too.....

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  101. Hi my name is Shannon and I have coveritis!! Love the post Joni. Love that you are real.

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  102. Nasty Anonymous, my heart goes out to you. It must be horrible to be you - never finding anything nice to say about anybody or anything, always looking for someone or something to criticize.

    Joni is the antithesis of you and it bothers you. She enjoys her life, her family and her home. She shares her home with us - the good and the bad. She's not afraid to let us see "stuff" stacked on every available surface. She's not afraid to have her home criticized (something you do very well - congratulations on finally finding something you're good at).

    Thank you, Joni, for your style and grace. The magazine cover couldn't happen to a more deserving person.

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  103. oh Joni...how fun!!! I will definitely put on my google calendar for May 2012 to start looking for the magazine with YOUR kitchen on the cover! You are just sooo REAL in a world of "ANONYMOUS" phonies! (....poor anonymous! You only get to live once, and it's loads more fun to be positive than negative!!)

    Can I visit your garage the next time I am in houston?? your waste is wonderful!

    congrats joni!!!
    Kathy

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  104. Congratulations on being chosen for the magazine cover. That's such an honor and quite a feat. It's a wonderful experience I'm sure.

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  105. congrats, joni!!! you make me laugh. you are too much! you would be so fun to have at a dinner party! I think i suffer from a completely different affliction, not sure what to call it, but I just want some of those amazing stylists to come to my house and make it all magazine worthy, i don't care to see it in a magazine, I just want it styled for one. it's posts like this one that keep your blog one of my favorites after 2.5 years!

    xo,
    Tessa

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  106. I am sooo definitely a wanabee! I endured a photo shootonce for my design portfolio. Total agony.
    But I wish my house always looked like the pictures!!

    BTW, I linked to you in my blog yesterday! (June 6)
    Best, Lynn from Decor Arts Now

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  107. Joni, I am so, so happy and excited for you! Your kitchen is gorgeous and totally deserves FRONT PAGE honors! I wish we didn't have to wait os l;ong though. I am definitely a coveritis wannabe. I TRY to keep the house perfect but LIFE happens. I LOVE you for showing us the REALITY! Most bloggers don't. It is so nice to know that people live LIFE! XO, Pinky

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  108. Wow, what a load of work! But it must have been fun to see the stylists and photographers in action. I usually keep my home pretty neat and orderly (and sometimes it helps me to take pictures when I'm trying to edit a space), but the thought of a real deal photo shoot escalates neat and tidy to a whole new level. Yikes! Maybe that's why I've dragged my feet so long with inviting you over...though I bet you're a whole lot more laid back! ;)

    Can't wait to see the magazine cover!
    Xo,
    Linsey

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  109. There were so many things in this post that made me laugh...now I know I suffer from coveritis...Instead of Obama coming, I've always said 'Margret Russell just called. She's at the airport and plans to stop by in an hour.' Also, my kitchen was published a couple of years ago (similar to the Sally Wheat kitchen). I told them there was no need to send a sylist...they did anyway...and the sylist had nothing to do all day...
    :)

    www.ajbarnesonline.blogspot.com

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  114. One of the best kitchen set ups ive seen.

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