Joni Webb is a legend in the blogging world as the author of the much loved Cote de Texas blog. She began blogging in 2007 when most of us barely knew what a blog was. Joni is a native Houstonian and has become synonymous with the Houston look. She favors natural fibers, blue and white porcelain, french antiques, slipcovers, and of course seagrass. I have seagrass in my lake house thanks to Joni. Design trends have come and gone, but Joni has remained true to her much sought after design aesthetic. Her beautiful blog posts are heavily researched, infused with her wit, and always entertaining. Joni generously featured our lake house and my daughter’s wedding on her blog back in 2012, and I still have people contacting me about something relating to that post. Joni and her husband Ben recently downsized to a charming apartment overlooking the beautiful Buffalo Bayou. I am so honored to show you the collected look in Joni Webb’s apartment.
Let’s begin our tour in the entry. Joni opted to make a statement as one enters. She filled this gorgeous french buffet with masonware (that she had in storage!! sounds like me). She opted for color here where the rest of the apartment is primarily neutral.
Joni wasn’t overly fond of the long hall with doors leading to the guest bedroom, bath and laundry. Of course she made the best of it. At the end of the hall you get a peek at her gorgeous living area and her fabulous mora clock. Check out the adorable wicker bed where one of her Cavalier’s is sleeping.
If you follow me on Instagram you might have seen this picture of Joni’s charming living room. She truly is a master at the collected look.
Only Joni could perfect her signature look in a high rise apartment. She painted the walls a beautiful neutral and let texture and patina be the star. The apartment flows effortlessly from room to room making the 1500 sq ft space seem much larger.
I am not exactly sure where Joni’s apartment is located on the Buffalo Bayou but her view must be something like this. Can you imagine a prettier view in downtown Houston?
Here is an overview of the Buffalo Bayou Park.
I adore this sitting area with all Joni’s signature details french antiques, white ironstone and of course seagrass. Joni isn’t afraid to mix the high and the low. Note the wicker chairs. I am pretty sure Joni got them at World Market years ago. I copied her (one of the many times) and bought the same chairs for our lake house.
Joni favors texture over pattern in her new digs. Isn’t the antique french cupboard filled with creamware and white ironstone to die for?
Joni had this fabulous bakers rack in the kitchen of her former home. Here it is filled with her globe collection and piles of beautiful old books.
Here’s Joni’s master bedroom. Don’t you love the clever mix of checks with the vintage suzani at the foot of the bed. Every room in this apartment appears to have light streaming in with beautiful views.
To find out more about Joni’s downsizing read her post here. If you love the collected look in Joni’s apartment, you might also enjoy my post on The Collected Look and How to get it. Joni has another great post about how the houston look has evolved here.
I have linked to a few items for the Joni look below. If you go to Joni’s blog she has meticulously sourced everything that is currently available. She has many more pictures of the apartment and also has a sidebar that can really get you into trouble. Yes her great taste extends to the wardrobe as well. While you’re there be sure to read her latest post. It is a good one about a spectacular show house coming to Houston by Milieu magazine. Also, Mary Ann, Annie and I are thrilled that Joni will be joining us for our group holiday fashion post on Thursday so be sure and stop by.
As a fellow Texas girl, I, too, love Joni’s blogs and her studious detective work she does with each post. I must be brave and get a seagrass rug. Sisal didn’t clean well, but now I’m worried about the borders of the sisal… I can see that getting dirty in a heartbeat. Wish I were blogging full-time so I could join you and Joni for your fashion post, but I’m hard at work on my book. xoxox, Brenda
I adore your blogs. This one is so inspiring. Beutiful interior ideas
Love the apartment. I could move right in. I love the rack with the globe collection. I have always been facinated with old globes. She did such a beautiful job in the bedroom placing the blue dish collection in front of the window catching the light!
Thanks Jenna! I know you have been hearing about Joni from moi for many years!!
I love Cote de Texas so much! I owe Joni a huge virtual debt of gratitude – first, I feel like the woman writes a book about every 10 days and each post is an education. Second, for her contribution and advocacy of the “Houston” look – it is still going strong, as it’s accessible and buildable, but it’s also a terrific visual dialogue that explains this region as the complex crossroads of metropolitan, southern/agrarian, and coastal that it really is. For a lifelong Texan who never imagined herself a Houstonian Joni’s brand of the collected look is a big key to appreciating this areas beauty and also it’s culture. And I have a huge crush on her apartment!
So well said! Her posts are so informative and well researched. I have always loved that Houston look thanks to Joni!
Cindy,
I follow Joni and love her new apartment, but she has the most amazing style. I’ve enjoyed the detailed reports on design and designers Joni has always written for us.
Thank you for this coverage.
Karen
YES, I have been told one can learn so much from her POSTS by other DESIGNERS!
I have followed her for years too but have to admit I don’t have the time to scroll through all of her Very informative POSTS!I was stunned to read about her Husbands illness and the move.I can relate to a bit about what he has gone through with my own MYSTERY illness!
Which by the way NEW BLOG POST is UP I forgot to tell YOU!
SHE IS THE COUNTESS AND GODDESS of THE BLOGWORLD and did a TERRIFIC JOB when a few comments got out of hand regarding another regular commenter!
KEEP IT UP JONI!!!
We all LOOK UP TO YOU!!!
YOU ARE A STAR and I CROWN YOU THE QUEEN OF DECORATING BLOGS!!!!!!!!!!!
LOOK FORWARD TO THURSDAY’S FASHION POST!
XX
Joni is the Contessa of the design blog world. She paved the way for all of us.
I have long advocated that “Professor Webb” write a book. She has schooled many of us along the way. As impressed as I am with her decorating flair, I was simply stunned how this woman became a human dynamo when she had to help her ill husband live a less stressful life. If you want to know what love looks like, read her downsizing posts. Do grab the kleenex and be prepared to stand up in front on your screen and give Joanie and her beloved Mr. Sleeper Socks (aka her husband Ben), a standing ovation. It’s all there: a will to save a loved one, the need to just get in done, to put aside things that held meaning in order to make life’s true meaning stand upin love and grace…and to continue to make anew a life for the two of them, plus, of course, the Webb dogs.
Now I know you are a long time reader Patricia…Mr. Slippersox. Joni is living proof that when life gives you lemons you can make lemonade. My husband who rarely reads these posts said wow what a beautiful apartment. It gives me so much pleasure to hear all the tales you all have shared. No one would be reading my blog if it weren’t for Joni.
Thank you so much Cindy. Her story and home were just amazing! That gave me so much inspiration for my own downsized home. Her story was so heartfelt, I will continue to pray for her husband and Joni. They made a very difficult but necessary choice but a perfect one. Once again thank you. You too have been an inspiration to me. so I want to encourage you to continue your informational blog.
Hi Maude
Thank you so much for your kind comments and support. Readers like you make blogging fun!
I have followed Joni’s blog for many years. Her style is beautiful and timeless. Her apartment is glorious as well! I always look forward to her informative posts ! Thanks for the tour!
Hi Judi
Thanks for supporting Joni. She has brought all of us so much pleasure and insight!!
DYING. Reading these comments, I am so humbled. I swear. After all these years and all the changes you go through in life, I wonder if I really still have a voice? These comments really give me some lacking self confidence.
Thanks so much everyone. Gong to show these to Ben!
I cannot believe that Joni started blogging in2007! I remember not even knowing what a blog was… I have always enjoyed following Cote de Texas and Joni’s style, beautiful rooms and inspiration that both of you have given me over the years. Fabulous post! Thanks ladies!!
Thank you for this post reminding me of Joni’s Gift of collecting. But the real treat was seeing her post on your lake house! I was gobsmacked at what a beautiful home-away-from-home you have. You have the Gift as well. Thanks as always for sharing!!
Holly Boyle I hope we can meet one day. I know we would be fast friends. You are the best!
Joni’s top 10 list on design is a must read! It’s available in her archives. The one she wrote in window treatments is the best advice ever! I’m a huge fan, love her!
Goldie I am so glad you mentioned this. That top ten list is amazing and I almost forgot about it. Her window treatment tips are the best. I have linen curtains and seagrass shades in my house because of Joni.
One of the first blogs that I followed. You,Joni and Mary Ann are my style icons. I would have loved to have a set of those World Market kobu chairs but we were living outside of the country when I first saw them on Joni’s blog. By the time that we moved back to the states, they were out of production. I look forward to your Thursday post.
Janet you said it so well. She inspired so many of us to blog and her style is so spot on and timeless. When I look at that closeup of her living room I am just in awe. She just has it. She did for Houston what the Gainses did for Wako. She is one in a million and I feel honored to feature her apartment
thank you for this cindy. i’ve always wanted to do a post on joni as well. i think the reason i started my blog was bc of hers. i remember the day, like 10 yrs ago wanting to read something on the internet (remember how all new this was back then?) about bunny williams and i her blog came up and i was mesmerized. never before could we have that kind of info at our fingertips. anyway, her signature look as you so perfectly described transformed the way i decorated. it was and still is gorgeous and timeless. so thank u and joni is the only one i know who could make an apartment look so good. x
Janet you said it so well. She inspired so many of us to blog and her style is so spot on and timeless. When I look at that closeup of her living room I am just in awe. She just has it. She did for Houston what the Gainses did for Wako. She is one in a million and I feel honored to feature her apartment
I adore Joni’s blog and there is nothing I like more than delving into a monster Cote de Texas post with a cup of tea and learning a ton of cool things I didn’t know. She also has terrific taste and I love what she did with her place now. I think she’s funny and so talented ! I can’t wait to see her fashion post as I always like what she picks for her blog too. Great post Cindy. xx Kim
Hi Kim
Joni has impeccable style. I have learned so much from her. I am so glad you enjoyed the post. Can’t wait to see your new digs on Wednesday!!
WHAT A PRETTY HOME!! It just goes to show that if you buy what you love…
Joni is the reason most of the design blogging world got started. She is a real gem.
Mary Ann
I am happy to see Joni’s apartment again. It is so beautiful. It is a wonderful space and she did so many creative things to make it a home! Love Joni and her design style!
Hi Joan
Thank you so much for chiming in. Joni has been such an inspiration to us all hasn’t she? So many elements in my own home come from Joni. Linen curtains, segrass shades, slipcovers. She is the goddess of blogging in my opinion.
Like you, I have followed Joni for years. Glad that she will be joining you and MaryAnn on Thursdays. All three of you are part of my daily morning reads, can’t start my day without you guys! (and of course my coffee!)
Hi Marsha
Joni gave me my start. I would never have blogged if it weren’t for her. She is the countess of the blogging world.
Thank you so much Cheryl for your support. People like you make blogging worthwhile.
Hey Cindy, bet you didn’t know Joni was MY REASON to begin a blog. She’s also a Houstonian !!
LOVE love love her. Great post, my dear.
xx’s
Hi Marsha
Joni gave me my start. I would never have blogged if it weren’t for her. She is the countess of the blogging world.
Awwwww, thanks so much my friend! If only I still looked that young. LOL That’s an oooollllldddd photo of me !! Thanks for all your support, you are too sweet!
J
We need to see your pretty face! Everyone loves you.
Oh it’s lovely! Thanks so much for the introduction – I’m definitely heading over to Joni’s blog! 💗
You will love her blog Barbara. She set the standard for all of us!