COTE DE TEXAS

VERANDA AND ANN HOLDEN!

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The latest Veranda features a renovation project done by one-half of the talented New Orleans duo, Holden and Dupuy. Known as the “Two Anns” – Ann Holden and Ann Dupuy have been creating fabulous interiors together and separately since 1976. They design interiors in the beautiful, classic NOLA style, but they also create designs that lean to the more contemporary. Mostly, their interiors are a mix of the two – classic with a touch of contemporary, which many times is highlighted by the art work used in the project.

If you are a reader of Veranda, or once – Southern Accents - you are probably well aware of Holden and Dupuy. Their work has been published many times over the years. Today, the two Anns mostly work solo on their projects. In 2010, Ann Holden was honored when she was named to Architectural Digest’s Top 100.

I’ve been a huge fan of both Anns since I first saw their work, but, that shouldn’t be a surprise. Ann Holden is the daughter of the great interior designer Gerrie Bremermann, and her influence is definitely seen in Ann’s designs. Being such a fan, I was thrilled when Veranda asked me to present some of the images that are in the new January issue. But first, let’s take a look back at Holden and Dupuy!

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An early image which shows the mixture of old New Orleans and new. Trendy slipcovers hide antique fabric on priceless chairs. An antique French desk sits underneath a classic painting – but the focal point is the contemporary portrait.

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Another famous image from the two Anns shows antiques mixed with contemporary chairs and fabric. Curtains by Mary Tait are a trademark.

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This dining room shows again, the mix of new and old, with bold curtains.

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Fabulous chairs and table – mixed with antique rug and, again, bold curtains.

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A red lacquered powder room with a slipcover chair and painted console. Just beautiful.

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This vignette shows a more classic New Orleans styled chest with Fortuny lampshades and a gorgeous mirror.

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Ann Holden designed this house in Austin, Texas, using portieres to frame the entrance to the living room. Villa Savoi Embroidery produced the curtains. HERE.

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Holden and Dupuy did work in Houston too – here, the living room with the coral colored silk curtains and contemporary day bed mixed with antiques.

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The Houston dining room is so beautiful with handpainted wallpaper and a gorgeous chandelier.

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But, the Houston powder room is the show stopper. Grisaille mural and rough edged marble vanity is mixed with a Venetian mirror. Sooo pretty!!!

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The esteemed architect Ken Tate built this sprawling estate near New Orleans. When it came time to redecorate it, Ann Holden was chosen. This spread was featured in Architectural Digest in 2010:

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The main entry way, with limestone floors and arched French doors.

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The grand living room has twin chandeliers and two main seating areas. Off to the left is the library.

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Close up of the living room – Villa Savoi did the embroidered curtains in this house too. I love those sconces.

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Behind the living room is this eating area.

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The family room is bathed in yellows and creams.

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The main dining room has Gracie hand painted wallpaper. So pretty! Gorgeous chandelier. This dining room is a favorite on Pinterest.

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A closeup of the antique French buffet with contemporary styled gilt lamps.

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The music room has matching trumeaus that flank the French fireplace. Notice the beautiful beamed ceiling.

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The music room is a mix of velvet covered contemporary styled chairs and traditional sofas. Love the suzani covered chair.

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Holden updated this paneled dining room with contemporary light fixtures mixed with damask curtains.

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The paneled library off the main living room.

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The entry hall leading to the master bedroom.

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The master bedroom is calm with ivories and aquas. Beautiful French mantel.

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On Holden and Dupuy’s web site is this pretty house. This project, recently completed, shows a shift from their usual golds and creams to a more white palette. Here the entry hall with the Fortuny light fixture is between the living room and dining room.

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The entry hall with antique console and chair, mixed with contemporary art work – a Holden and Dupuy trademark.

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The living room has twin white slipcovered sofas with a large leather tufted ottoman.

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The dining room is so dramatic with the dark walls and curtains with white linings pulled back. Gorgeous chandelier!!! Love this room!

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Off the living room is the library with the contemporary table mixed with antique chairs and banquette and grisaille mural. LOVE!!!!

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Finally, here is a sneak peek at Ann Holden’s newest project in this month’s Veranda. The house, built in 1884, is on famous St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans. To start the process, first the 3,000 sq. ft. house was stripped back to its beginnings – all former restorations and additions were removed. Once that was accomplished, a new, seamless 4,500 sq. ft. addition was added to the back. From the front façade, there is no hint of the addition in the back.

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The ceiling in the entry hall is original – and it’s fabulous! The wood floors were stripped, but picking a floor for the addition wasn’t easy. The antique lantern came from Chateau Domingue.

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The dining room is in the original part of the house. Gorgeous antique table and chandelier. The ceiling is original and was stripped of its stain.

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The new part of the house with steel windows.

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My favorite picture in the photoshoot. The breakfast room – love how it looks like it’s in a glass box! Beadboard ceiling. Love the chandelier and the size of the prints – wonderful!

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And finally, the library, painted dark gray. Another favorite! There are plenty more pictures in the magazine, I only picked my favorites to show here.

I hope you enjoyed reading about Holden and Dupuy and Ann Holden’s latest project!! The new Veranda will be on the newstands on December 24th.

There’s another good blog story on Ann Holden HERE at the Vintage Mulberry.

AND ONE MORE THING:

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The Peak of TRES Chic is doing a series called Designer Diaries and she interviewed me for her blog! To read the story, please visit her blog HERE. A huge thank you to Sam for featuring Cote de Texas.

AIDAN GRAY CONTEST: 3RD PLACE!

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When we first started this contest, Randal Weeks, owner of Aidan Gray, said we would have two winners – 1st and 2nd place.  Instead, he picked six houses: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, along with 3 runners up!!!  The 3rd place house – pictured above - is, along with the 2nd place house, located in Texas.  Although this house looks older from the outside, it was built in 2010!  It sure had me fooled!  I think it was the arched porch to the right of the house with the balustrade that tricked me, along with the brick work, especially on the gables.   The house is built in the Gothic Revival style, characterized by its steep pointed gables and arches.  

 

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Such a pretty façade!  The trim work is painted blue – a color that runs through the interior as well.  The house is located on a corner where the side street is the alley.  That’s another reason why the house looks old – there’s no front loading garage and no driveway - two features which I wish we could return to.  Notice the Gothic styled leaded glass in the front door and the window above it – so pretty!

 

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Entering through the front door, there is a limestone foyer.  Off this space, there is a library to the right and the dining room to the left.

 

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And looking the other direction, past the brick arch.  The family room is at the back of the house and the master bedroom is reached through the arch on the right, past the sconce.

 

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The blue paneled library faces the front side of the house and there is a door that connects to the arched brick patio with the balustrade.  This color blue, like the outside trim, is found throughout the house.

 

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To the left is the dining room with a groined ceiling.  It also overlooks the front street.  Through the arch is the butler’s pantry and then the kitchen.  When entering the contest, the owner told me that the house was still being furnished.  They are taking their time to do this – and as everyone knows - it’s a long progress to decorate an entire house! 

 

 

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Facing the back side of the lot is the large family room.  The fireplace and bookcases are the focal point of the room.  Using gothic styled arches on the antiqued mirrored bookcases is a great idea!    The flatscreen is truly hidden behind the doors and mirrors which are wonderful design elements.

 

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Along with a wood beamed ceiling are two large lanterns.  Love the antelope area rug.   At the back, a trio of French doors open to the covered porch. 

 

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And a view looking down to the space from the staircase.  There floors are a pretty, dark, hand scraped wood, which adds much texture.

 

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Off the family room is a back hall that leads to the kitchen.  These gorgeous wood doors look like antiques.  I’m not sure where they lead to – perhaps a playroom and the garage.  Notice that the plank floor has changed into a herringbone pattern.

 

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And, the back hall,  looking the other direction towards the breakfast area.

 

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Once you are in the large kitchen/breakfast area, there is a fireplace with a gothic styled pointed arch.

 

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And here is the view of the kitchen and breakfast room.  The cabinets are painted blue – like the woodwork in the library.  Window shades and café curtains are in shades of blue and white.

 

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Marble countertops and subway tiles of marble is a nice accent with the dark blue cabinets.  Notice the beautiful hood over the range, and the two lanterns over the large, expansive island.  There is a chandelier over the breakfast table.

 

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The dining room is through the butler’s pantry where the arch is.  I love the fireplace in the kitchen!  One day, that would be a great place to put a chair next to it.

 

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And looking towards the side yard.  I believe those wood doors lead to the garage, but I think there is another room there too.

 

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And the breakfast table is tin topped with a cute banquette in green.   The pillows are all blues and greens together.  Love the herringbone floor.  And obviously – so did Randal.  This kitchen is the room he wants to photograph!

 

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Here are Randal’s plans for the Aidan Gray catalogue.  He’ll place two chandeliers over the island and add the bar stools and some Aidan Gray wire baskets.   Can’t wait to see how this room looks with all the Aidan Gray merchandise in it.

 

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The powder room – I love this!  White marble topped vanity with beautiful sconces and black mirror.  Love the faucet on the marble – that is so European looking.  Love this!

 

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Outside, there is a large brick walled patio with arches and an outdoors fireplace.  On the right, is the family room which leads to the outdoors dining area.  On the left is the master bedroom which leads out to the fireplace and sitting area.

 

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The view of the outside dining area – cute table and bench with wicker chairs.

 

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And the outdoor fireplace, which leads directly to the master bedroom.  The blue paint, found inside, is carried through to the outside also.

 

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The master bedroom, which overlooks the outdoor fireplace and patio.

 

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This room is furnished in taupes and blues.   Very, very pretty – love the color combination.

 

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The master bathroom with a corner tub and wooden chandelier.

 

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There’s a vanity on each side.

 

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Upstairs, the daughter has a darling bedroom with a European styled bunk.

 

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The room has black accents – found in the star fabric and the curvy headboard.

 

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Her bathroom is especially darling in pink and white tiles.  I love her mirror – with its stage and her initials spelled out in tiles – what a monogram!!  Darling!

 

So, now – we have the 1st place house in Louisiana where Aidan Gray will use the living room and window wall and the master bathroom:

 

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1st Place: the living room vision, taken through the iron stair railing.

 

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1st Place:  The same room, along the French windows.

 

 

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1st Place:  the last photograph will be in the master bathroom, which Randal will convert into a salon.

 

 

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2nd Place:  In this Texas house, the entry way grabbed Randal’s eye.  He’ll change it up with all new Aidan Gray furniture – so excited to see this one shot!

 

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2nd Place:  next, the keeping room, by the kitchen and breakfast room with its Texas style limestone fireplace, will be the setting for another photograph.  French painted chairs will replace slipcovered ones, along with new lamps and sconces and tables. 

 

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2nd Place:  master bedroom will be filled with chests and chairs and a bench, along with lamps and mirrors all from Aidan Gray. 

 

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And finally, 3rd Place:  another house in Texas was chosen for its blue painted kitchen and white marble countertops, along with its herringbone patterned wood floor.  Randal will bring in chandeliers, bar stools and accessories. 

So, there you have it!  Next we’ll look at the three runner ups, and then we’ll start looking at all the other entries for the contest.

 

AND FINALLY – SOME HELPFUL BEDROOM TIPS:

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Beautiful bedroom designed by Ginger Barber

 

Cote de Texas sponsor Vero Linens has created a few videos that you might find helpful:

The first video is called “How to Stuff a Duvet Cover”  HERE

Next:    “How to prevent your Down Comforter from slipping inside your Duvet Cover”  HERE

“When is it time to replace your Down Comforter” HERE 

“How to make the perfect Bed” HERE

“Decorating with Throws” HERE

and last, “Making your bed with a Coverlet & Duvet” HERE

 

I’m going to watch “How to keep your comforter from slipping inside your duvet!!”  That one drives me crazy!!! 

Thank you Steve of Vero Linens for these videos!!