Katie Stassi Scott

Back in 2008, interior designer Katie Stassi made news when she was named one of domino magazine’s Top Ten Designers. Her house in Houston, which she totally renovated and decorated, was an internet sensation and placed her on the national design scene, which attracted domino, amongst others.

Before the days of Pinterest, photographs of her house would have been some of the most pinned pics of the year, no doubt. There was a tremendous buzz about Katie’s work, and the projects and accolades flooded in.

Katie of Katie Design

Besides being a talented and very beautiful woman, Katie is also well grounded and very spiritual. When asked by domino where her she was trained in interior design – she answered simply, “it was a gift from God.” And, without a doubt it is.


Katie’s spirituality permeates every aspect of her life. Her daily dialogue with God became the basis of a book entitled “Let It Be” which has just been published. “Let It Be” is a diary of sorts – a remembrance of her days and how her religion has helped her navigate life’s trials.


The book is a retelling of a trying time in her life which, she pulled through and ended up happy and healthy – in a marriage to her “soul mate” and with two new babies, giving her a total of 3 girls and one boy.

“Let It Be” is highly inspirational. Writing about your personal relationship with God can’t be easy, but Katie describes her meditations in such an open way, you will be inspired to follow her journey of prayer with your own. She posts the outline of her meditation time HERE for those who are interested in creating their own meditation time.


I loved the book especially as there is such a happy ending!! But then I’ve always be in awe of Katie. She is just the whole package – and she makes it all look so easy. Reading the book, you realize that it really hasn’t been that easy of a road – and this inspires you to want to work harder at your own spiritual life and make your own prayers more important in your life.
To order “Let It Be,” go HERE.



Katie Stassi Scott first came into the national eye with this project:




Her house in Houston – was published in several magazines. Katie totally renovated the house, inside and out.

The living room was light and airy – with touches of gilt. It was a mix of modern and antique – a mix she still employs.

A closeup of the demilune.

Gilt antique chairs. I remember just loving this vignette! Still do!

And in the corner, a ticking fabric on an antique French day bed. Love.

The dining room featured antique furniture and a trumeau with beautiful gray silk taffeta curtains.

Everyone loved her breakfast room with its turquoise slipcovered banquette and the matching trumeau. All these years later I still love this design just as much as the first time I saw it!

Her tent created an instant pool room. I think every design blog showed this picture.

Next, this house was featured in a Houston magazine and then last year was published in Country French.

The stair hall with its French barometer.

The story behind this house is as wonderful as the design. The owner, a single mother of 4 girls, bought the house and had it decorated in dark colors and stains, along with checks and toile fabrics. On the day before the move in and installation – the owner decided it was too country French and too dark. A few phone calls to friends brought her to Katie who spent the next few years totally lightening the interiors and redecorating the house to reflect a more sophisticated French-European look.

The living room is filled with antiques. My favorite is the fireplace and the flanking consoles and mirrors.

Close up of the putti on the console.

Katie used two antique sofas in the living room, along with ivory taffeta curtains.

The capital seems almost normal now – but back then, I was enthralled with it. Still am.

The dining room is so beautiful with the light blue taffeta curtains and the crystal chandelier.

This chest and trumeau are gorgeous. You can see a painting of an angel reflected in the mirror.

The family room – from Katie’s web site.

The family room as seen by Tria Giovan in Country French magazine.

The study – love all the white books.

The kitchen with its stone walls.

And next to it – the breakfast room. Love!

 

The master bedroom is all blue and white. Such a pretty chandelier.

There are four daughters and all have beautiful bedrooms. This one has antique French twin beds.

This peach bedroom was a surprise in the Country French magazine.

Another view shows the beautiful windows in the room.

 

Another bedroom in blues and pinks.  So cute!

Newer Project:

This is a newer project in New Orleans. The walls in the entry hall are white and the hardwoods are dark brown. Love the modern fabric on the antique chaise. The sconces and mirror above are beautiful but the chandelier is STUNNING! The story behind this house is most intriguing.

Another view. The moldings are so beautiful in this house.
This is actually the famous Lalaurie house, built in 1831, in New Orleans. It has a haunted past. Its original owner, Madame Delphine Lalaurie, tortured and murdered her slaves that she held captive here. The abuse was discovered when there was a fire at the house. The description of the poor souls found here is hard to read, even all these years later.

While historical records indicate the torture took place in an outbuilding on the property, the house is considered haunted. Katie collected a bottle of holy water and used it each time she entered the house along with saying a prayer for those tortured here.

It’s hard to reconcile the past with how beautiful and graceful the house is today. The actor Nicholas Cage once owned the house, and today, Katie’s client, a Houston oil man, lives here part time.
The Visual Vamp featured this house HERE.  Also, a feature about the project will soon be published. Additionally, Katie won a Design Award from Paper City magazine for her design here.
Read the story about the house and Katie’s involvement in it HERE.

Read the original news story about the fire and the tortured slaves HERE.

The living room has a fuchsia pink antique sofa mixed with blush pink taffeta curtains. LOVE!

Another view. Notice the moldings around the door and the etched glass trumeau. Just beautiful!!

 


The dining room has more wonderful molding and chandelier. The table comes from Katie’s own furniture line – as seen on her web site.  Also, the chairs are covered in a python fabric.

Another view – notice the molding on the door at the very right.

The door to the study. How gorgeous is this? Only in New Orleans!

Here, in the study, a mix of green tufted chaises. Again these are found on her web site.

One of the bedrooms in the house. Katie named this The Heaven Room. Watch what she says about this room HERE.



And finally – besides her furniture line, Katie is now designing jewelry. Her line is inspired by her faith, as you will see. Yet, regardless of its religious nature – the jewelry is so chic and hip! My daughter Elisabeth will go crazy for the cuff with the Jewish Star and Evil Eye – shown below! I’m loving the starburst white cuff for summer.

Her rings – again, I’m in love with the gold starburst ring:

I know Elisabeth will want the Hamsa ring – or the Rosary Bar ring on the left.

 

The ring on the left of the Mother Mary in the diamond bezel is another favorite of mine. The cross rings are really great too.

Here a model wears Katie’s bangles, along with rings and earrings and a necklace from her line.

Be sure to check out Katie’s web site for more of her jewelry. A portion of the proceeds goes to her favorite charities, which she talks about there.

Jewelry: HERE

To read about her book, “Let It Be,” go HERE 

And Katie Scott’s web site is

www.katiebydesign.com

A HUGE thank you to Katie Scott for allowing me to showcase her designs and to talk about her new book –

“Let It Be!”
It’s been a huge honor!