Eddie and Jaithan Visit the Skirted Roundtable!

 

Oh my.   We are probably the luckiest three girls in the world!   Who wouldn’t want Eddie Ross and Jaithan Kochar to visit them?  Eddie – known for his close association with Martha Stewart and Jaithan, fresh from Stanford AND The Rhode Island School of Design (!) are the two hottest bloggers ever to hit the scene.  Do NOT miss this one!    The two guys tell us how they met and where they are going (to the moon, Alice!)   A better time probably could not be had – the two guys kept us entertained and on the edge of our seats.  To listen - please go to the Skirted Roundtable HERE.

 

 

AND, don’t forget, tomorrow is the last day to enter Cote de Texas’ second birthday celebration giveaway.  Go HERE to sign up.

Help Celebrate Cote de Texas’ Second Birthday With A Giveaway!

 

 

Yep – that’s her!    That’s the chic and oh-so-very cool Cote de Texas grabbing her Tinkerbell bath products gift at her 4th birthday – Nov. 20, 1958!  Forgive the 4th birthday – there are no pictures from my second birthday party.     Now just look at me.   That’s true excitement in that face!   Not much has changed either.  I still get that excited over gifts and bath products – except Tinkerbell has lost some of its charm through the years.   OK – for any one who doesn’t believe me when I say my nicknames growing up were Frizzball, Bozo, Zulu, et al – here’s proof!   Guests shown at my party are my late, sweet Aunt Mary helping with the gifts and her daughter, my beautiful cousin Josette, sitting right next to me, all prim and proper in her party dress with her red hair in a pony tail.   She looks a little jealous of my Tinkerbell gift though, doesn’t she?   Her older sister Sandy, in a striped shirt,  is behind her with something that looks like a pompadour – not sure WHAT is going on with HER hair!   Next to Josette is the girl whom I owe my present day legally-blind status to.  Lisa.  She truly was near-sighted and wore thick glasses which I badly envied – so much so, that I am convinced I faked my first eye examination just to get some glasses.  I do remember pretending I couldn’t see the blackboard in school and walking right up to it to peer at it (my first acting job) – just so I could get those beautiful horned rims.   Remember, this was eons before designer glasses.    There’s someone in front of me wearing a Go Texan hat.  Why?  I have no idea.  It’s probably my little cousin Joey.  

 

I know that look well.  Impatiently waiting to get through the cake ceremony so I can open my gifts.  That hair!!!!!   You’d think someone would have brushed that brillo pad on my birthday!    My poor Aunt Mary was really working it hard that day.

 

We were known as the Three J’s – Josette, Joni, and Joey – all named after our grandfather Joseph.  We used to really think “The Three Js” was a big deal and even today, we still proudly refer to ourselves as that.   Brainwash a child long enough and they start to believe you.     I remember this birthday party –  and I truly remember that gift!   Obviously it’s because there’s this photograph of it:  I surely don’t remember another single gift from that party.    I do vividly remember that dress I was wearing – probably because I wore it for all fancy occasions and there are a lot of pictures of me in it.   My party was at Kiddie Playland – on Westheimer, right past where the Galleria stands today, for all you baby boomers from Houston.  Remember that little roller coaster?   And the helicopter ride?   Uh, you really don’t care about any of this – you just want to know about the giveaway!  Admit it!    Just hang on, ok?    I’m going to drag this out a little.   It wouldn’t be Cote de Texas if it was short and sweet, now would it?

 

  Aw, happiness!  Another great “girly” gift!   Finally – my mother, her arm at least, on the left.  And Josette is behind me trying to maneuver her way in to see the latest present.  

 

 

May 28 was really Cote de Texas’ second birthday –  I’m a little late by a month with this celebration.  I had all good intentions of doing a give away on the proper date, but, I got bogged down by other stories – like “Battle of the Sexes” – that very important tale of Ben’s new fan.   So when the nice people at  CSN Lighting approached me about a giveaway – I thought it would be the perfect way to celebrate the day my life changed forever when I wrote my fabulous – I mean fabulous -  first post, which I repeat here now, for you to read.  Now, brace yourself if you have never read my first post.  It’s a killer.  Truly - Terry Sapienza from The Washington Post really missed out when she didn’t nominate my first post for the “Best Blog of the Week.”  OK – are you ready to be blown away by pure genius?  Maybe you should sit down.  You are about to read such words of wisdom, that people immediately flocked to Cote de Texas for more!  More!  They cried – give us MORE!   ok, ready?  

 

 

 

Where are the grammar police when you REALLY need them?  God, that was awful.  And I love how proudly I state my mission, yet I haven’t lived up to it at all!   France, France, France.  That really went by the wayside quickly.     And notice too how I’m begging for comments on my first post  – how arrogant!  It actually took a full 7 months to get my first comment on it.  And look how my sweet friend, Things That Inspire, was obviously looking for a good laugh a few months ago when she read my first post.  Hopefully, like fine wine, or a French antique, Cote de Texas has gotten better with age.  It certainly couldn’t get any worse.   What a stinker!

OK, OK.  On to the giveaway!      As  a HUGE thank you to all the readers who have supported me the past two years – CSN Lighting is offering my readers a fabulous giveaway.   You just go to their web site and pick ANYTHING you want that is $100 and under, then come back here and tell me what you picked in a comment.   If you win, it’s yours!    AND, I’ve got a second place prize too – from Kenneth Turner.    You have until Wednesday, so get busy.  The link to the web site is at the bottom of this post.  

But first – let me show you are few things that I picked out from the web site that I would want myself, if I won, that is.   CSN Lighting has thousands, I mean thousands of items and I spent hours picking out these things.  They also have a wonderful search engine – you can put in a specific item you want AND then on the left side – choose the price you want to spend – it makes it a little easier to navigate through their immense inventory.   But, I do encourage you to take a look around at all price points.  If you are in the market for a light fixture or a home decor item – this is the place to find it.  There are a lot of items on sale too.  

Below are the things that caught my eye.    And truthfully, I couldn’t look at every item, after about five hours, I had to stop and write the story!!!!! 

 

 

Laurie Smith designed a lighting line for Quoizell – this sconce comes from in at $99!   I think it is really great looking to use down a hallway – or as a pair over a console.  The price is phenomenal.   It comes in three finishes too.  Love, love, love this!  CSN also carries Martha Stewart’s FABULOUS line  – be sure to search under her name too.  Some of her items come awfully close to $100.

 

 

Kichler makes a great outdoor line – but I would use this inside, in a kitchen or a laundry room - I love this fixture!  Search under Kichler Outdoors to see the entire line.

 

 

I really think this set of mirrors is great – you could hang them flanking an armoire or a breakfront or on both sides of a bed behind the nightstands!  I also think they would look great hanging from bookcases on either side of a fireplace.  #PPI2733

 

 

 I really like this vanity mirror – how pretty would this be in a powder room, or in a master bedroom on a desk!  Love this!!!! #0fn1248

 

 

 

I thought the shade was so pretty with this aquamarine lamp – what a perfect accent lamp for an entry console, or between two chairs.   Doesn’t it look much more than what it costs?  #JCO-X3353

 

 

So cute!  There are hundreds of storage units under $100 – I just liked this particular one a lot.   #WN1243

 

 

There are many different hanging shelves for the bathroom or a laundry room or a kitchen.   #EHF1137

 

 

Perfect for a million reasons – one being that it’s so cute!   Load it with rolled up white towels for the bathroom or powder room.  #BAM1097

 

 

This one reminded me of Layla from The Lettered Cottage for some reason!  #HF2572

 

 

I would put this in a living room between two French bergeres.   #OFN1246

 

Oh wait – I already did!!!

 

I’ve been dying for a clock like this!   #UH1397

 

Or this!   #UH1335

 

 

k                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Or this one – love the pendulum.    #HW1118

 

There’s more art work than you can even imagine!  I’m a sucker for a vase of pink roses.  Or peonies. Or hydrangeas!   #WRV1085

 

 

   Pretty turquoise lamp, great detailing and great shade!   #CBK1648

 

 

A couple of these candlesticks would be so nice on a coffee table or console – 26” tall!    They come in white too.   ASH1047

 

 

This model reminds me of Brooke from Velvet and Linen.   #AMD1241

 

 

This looks like an antique oxblood vase to me – beautiful!   #FG1063

 

 

Think you can’t afford Wedgewood?  Think again – there are many Wedgewood pieces at CSN for great prices!   I particularly liked this one.  I think Wedgewood blue looks so beautiful massed together in a breakfront.  #WED2164.

 

 

 It is really a pot rack – but I would get rid of my upper cabinets and store my dishes on this!   #O21042

 

 And I’d put my pots, here!   #RR1026

 

   Brushed nickel!   #PG7064

 

 

Lots of rugs – all sizes, shapes and styles.  This black and white striped one would look cute in a kitchen or in front of a sofa.  #CV1849

 

This pendant light comes in different colors – I am drawn to the red for some reason.  I would use this over a kitchen sink, or put a couple over an island.  Darling!   #GX2616.

 

Lanterns – they have lanterns, for indoors and out!   #GX2309.

 

 

Great pendant!   Wouldn’t these be wonderful over a bathroom vanity?   #PG3105.

 

 

  Sweetness personified.  Love, love, love!   #MXL2438

 

Yes, this IS under $100 – as is everything that I have shown!!!!  #GX2292

 

I just love these industrial type of pendants.   So much better than the art glass pendants you see all over the place!  #IT2688

 

 

This floor lamp would be great between two cozy armchairs.    #GCH1164

 

 

And, saving the best for last, these buffet lamps are two for under $100.  Yes, you heard that right!  Two!   The shades are adorable!   Search under “lamp sets” to see all the pairs.   #LO3086

 

Now that I’ve shown you what I would get if I won – it’s your turn to pick out what you would want.  After you find something you like with a value of $100 or less on the CSN website, leave me a comment telling me what you’ve chosen.  And don’t fret- if you win and you change your mind about what you want, it’s fine, ok?  We’ll let you do that.   And, don’t forget – you get two chances to win - there will be a second place winner, too.    One winner for each birthdays year!

Finally, I want to thank each and every one of you for all the support, friendship and LOVE you’ve shown me these past two years!    I am in constant awe of your generosity of spirit and know in my heart that if it weren’t for you – I’m not even sure there would still be a Cote de Texas.   Just knowing you are out there reading the blog gives me a reason each day to sit down at the computer and try to write something that will interest you and entertain you.  Without your loyalty, it wouldn’t be nearly as meaningful or fun.     And I want to give a special thanks to ALL the Cote de Texas “stalkers” out there – you know who you are.   You really went that extra mile and I’ll never forget that. 

 

***To enter the contest, go to the CSN Lighting web site, by clicking here:  CEILING LIGHTS.   GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

Charles Edwards – English Country Style

 

A friend’s kitchen, styled by House Beautiful for a cover story, designed by Carol Glasser and Katrin Cargill.   The Charles Edwards light fixture steals the show.

 

The first I ever heard of Charles Edwards from England was when my friend redecorated her house and installed a fixture of his in her kitchen.  It actually “made” the kitchen – the design, so simple, yet stunning – is a pendant made of tole with a nickel (yes!) interior.  The color? A soft blue-green.   Wow.    Edwards makes the most fabulous light fixtures based on classic English and French designs.  His fixtures are the exact kind of light fixtures you would find in an English country manor house, or an English townhouse pretending to be a country manor house.   I know I say all the time how much I love French design, and I do, I really do.  But, I am sucker for the cluttered English style of design found in their villages, hidden on picturesque back lanes.  These great country houses are filled with treasures passed down from generation to generation: sofas with tattered slipcovers, books piled on bigger piles of books, paintings covering every inch of wall space, chintz fabrics, wall to wall seagrass, Chinese export porcelains in blue and white, busts of long passed ancestors, red and white ticking, chinoiserie, tapestries, and on and on.    I’ve written about this conflict before – a few times at least – between wanting a cluttered house versus an uncluttered house with English design versus French design (though really that should probably be Belgian design) – someone help me!!!!!

Charles Edwards’ English country house was featured in the now long-gone House and Garden in 2005 and the story ended up stored away in my clippings file.   But,  I never really put it together that the house that I so loved in House and Garden was owned by the man that made this fabulous light fixture for my friend’s house, until tonight - while I was doing research on Robert Kime.  Got that?   Good, because I’m not exactly sure how it all comes together myself.

 

The same kitchen, unstyled, and snapped by Katrin Cargill for her web site.  There is no way that House Beautiful would ever  leave paper towels and pots of dip out on the counters during a photo shoot.  I am guessing that Cargill, who lives in London, as opposed to Glasser, sourced the English-made fixture for the Houston house.

 

 

Fabric Designer Robert Kime’s furnishings go on sale at Christie’s next month.  While searching for my clippings of Kime’s country house, I happened upon Charles Edwards’ country house which has a very similar feel to Kime’s house seen above.

 

Ever since Emily Evans Eerdmans wrote on her blog about the upcoming Robert Kime sale at Christie’s, I have been obsessing over the English Country Manor look.    Obsessing.  I can’t help it.   Add to that, visiting The Bennison House – Houston’s version of the English Country Manor Look – further fueled my obsessing.    It seems like everywhere I turned this week, I am bumping into great English design.    Looking for clippings of Robert Kime’s country house, I stumbled upon the long forgotten story about Edwards’ house instead.   Which led me to his web site, which led to these beautiful pictures below.     Edwards, whose partner is the antique dealer, Julia Boston, uses his country estate as a sort of living showroom for an ever changing array of his fixtures.   It’s hard to pick a favorite lantern or pendant from the pictures, but I definitely tried.  You may be more lucky than I was!   Enjoy!

 

 

The Edwards estate is called Tile Barn after their old barn that once had a tiled roof.  Edwards put two cottages together to form one, then attached it to a large barn with a long passageway.   The cottage had been empty for 50 years following a suicide.   It took Edwards one day to decide he wanted to buy the property after seeing it.  In England, things move slow in country real estate – the actual purchase took over a year before he was able to move in and start reconstruction!

 

 

The cottage (made up of two smaller cottages) is the two story house on the left.  In front of the cottage a long passageway was built to connect it to the barn on the right.  The kitchen is between the two structures.  At the very left is where the front door is that leads to the entry hall/formal dining room.  In the foreground is the lake formed by the quarry left behind where tiles for the barn’s roof were made in the 1830s. 

 

Edwards home is comprised of a barn and a cottage which are linked by a long passageway built to connect the two structures.  The front door in the cottage leads into a large entryway which doubles as the dining room. 

 

 

The front door, on the right, opens to the entry hall – here shown with a new lantern from the collection.   The house is just 3,800 though it appears much larger Edwards says.   He collected 13 old mahogany wood doors to use throughout.   The floors are large stone flags. 

 

  Here, the entry hall is set for a formal dinner, underneath a different chandelier. 

 

 

And, looking from the other side of the entry hall towards the long passageway that leads to the barn/sitting room/kitchen.

 

 

Through the beautiful glass-paned door, the long passageway has an arched ceiling.  In the middle of the passageway is the stairway that leads up to the bedrooms.   A row of reproduction alabaster fixtures lights the passageway in this picture.    The kitchen and sitting room are at the end of this long passageway that was built to combine the cottage and the barn.  The passageway is actually built onto the front facade of the cottage. 

 

 

 

In the middle of the passageway are the stairs that lead to the bedrooms.  Against the windows is a collection of antique lamps.  The floors here are the same flags that were placed throughout the house for continuity.   The walls are not stone, but were scored to look like it.    Octagonal ball fixtures are hanging from the ceiling in this picture. 

 

Reaching the end of the passageway, up the steps, through the glass door and through another mahogany door is the sitting room/kitchen.  The Ball D Lantern is shown hanging here.

 

 

The large barn with its 26’ ceiling was turned into the sitting room which connects to the kitchen.    Edwards collected curtains over the years and hung them throughout the house to soften the stucco walls.  The Large Hexagonal Pineapple lantern hangs over the middle of the room, while the Globe Lantern hangs over the fireplace seating area.  The convex mirror is sold by Edwards, also.     I’d move in this room tomorrow!  This is so typically English – with the collection of upholstered pieces, antique chairs, and dark wood furniture collected over the years without any real design plan.  It’s so cozy and warm and makes you just want to flop down on the sofa and put your feet up.   I also love how the green lantern plays off the reds and blues in the room – wonderful!

 

 

  There are several different versions of the great room on the web site.  Here, the rug is smaller than the picture above  and the furniture arrangement is different – as are the mirrors and paintings.  It’s fun to decide which version you like best.   I really like this one a lot.  Notice the large doors on the right that lead outside.   The Jumbo Hexagonal Treaty Port Lantern hangs here – painted green, again. 

 

 

 

In this version – the Hanging Pentagonal Lantern was added over the fireplace and you can see the two sofas here.  The three different tickings are from Ian Mankin, a well known fabric house in England.    Books are everywhere – typical of an English country house. 

 

 

 

This lantern - the Wooden Hanging Regency – is so beautiful!

 

Facing the other way, you can see through to the kitchen.   Against the back wall is a large “cartoon.”  Cartoons are the paintings from which tapestries were made.  Edwards’ wife Julia Boston specializes in cartoons.   In The Bennison House – several of the paintings were actually cartoons.  The fixture here is the Jumbo Hanging Treaty Port Lantern in red.   I really love this lantern.  And I love the oval painting hanging over the door on the right.   Typical English Country House style is to hang paintings anywhere and everywhere.       

 

 

Here is a close up of the dreamy and romantic cartoon.   The sofa is an antique Knole that Edwards inherited from his mother who was also an antiques dealer.   An original Knole is quite rare and extremely valuable.  This one even appears to still wear its original velvet fabric!    Hanging above is the Large Wooden Hanging Regency lantern. 

 

 

Next to the Knole sofa is the door that leads to the kitchen.  The Edwards say they actually live in this room.   Hanging is the Large Clover Lantern with the Drum shade in tole and nickel.  

 

 

Looking the other way – towards the kitchen cabinetry.   Hanging above is another tole fixture, this time in green.

 

 

 

The kitchen with the unusual Rise & Fall Round Eydon Light.  The flag floors are continued in this part of the barn. 

 

 

Leaving the barn and heading back out the beautiful wood paned door, down the passageway that leads to the entry hall/cottage.

 

    Let’s go upstairs.

 

 

Up the staircase, hanging here is one of my favorite lanterns – the Hanging Tapering Genghis Lantern.  Through another of the 13 mahogany doors is one of the three bedrooms. 

 

 

 

And at the other end of the landing is another bedroom.  Hanging here is a new fixture – the Large Hanging Castellated Lantern with its matching canopy.  Through the window – you can see the large barn that houses the sitting room and kitchen.  

 

 

 Another view – notice the crystal finials on the stairway – Edwards sells these too.   In this picture you can really see the barn with its large doors.   

 

 

Even the utility doors – which match the front door – are charming.  The drive is loose pebbles. These doors are found behind the cottage. 

 

  An outdoor eating area was created from an old cow barn!  Charming!   Pictured here are Edwards and Boston.

 

 

If you are in London, be sure to visit the store on King’s Road.

 

Inside, you will find some serious eye candy!

To visit Charles Edwards’ web site go here, which leads to Boston’s web site also.   AND a hint of things coming- I’ll be having a big give away – featuring lighting fixtures - next week to coincide with Cote de Texas’ two year anniversary.  Be sure to come back and enter!!!!