Guest Post: Cote de Texas Blog

Gold Notes wraps up its first anniversary coverage with a guest post from one of my favorite design blogs, Cote de Texas. Joni Webb, CdT's creator and author extraordinaire is also a terrifically talented interior decorator.

As the blog's name implies, Joni lives and works in the Lone Star State -- the greater Houston area, to be specific. Her blog, however, casts its discerning eye across the pond to France, covering all things French Country and French Country-inspired.

Since I'm an enthusiast of European country styles, I just had to ask Joni to share some of her Cote craft with Gold Notes readers.

Merci, merci, merci!


Joni gets bullish on burlap

In honor of Gold Notes' one year anniversary, blogger Jamie Goldberg graciously asked me to write about a trend I see for the upcoming year. Well, this trend may be still be upcoming, but we are actually in the throes of its tidal wave right now. Feedbag chic, burlap design, grain bag fashion - call it what you want, but call it hot, hot, hot!

Everywhere one looks these days, there are signs of it: burlap is used for curtains and pillows, lamp shades and beach totes. And following right behind all the burlap are feed and grain bags! Yes, all those bags that are used to hold beans and coffee are the chicest things on the market today. The bags are being used to upholster chairs and settees - both new and antique; pillows, bolsters, mattresses and rugs are being made out of them. The more valuable vintage bags are framed and hung on the wall. The older the bag, the more expensive it is, but older pieces are also rare and not quite as hardy.

To deal with the demand and the scarcity of vintage feedbags, entrepreneurs are now manufacturing faux bags stamped in Eastern European lettering to lend a degree of authenticity. It's true the vintage materials are softer and faded, but the newer versions are cheaper and in most cases, better for upholstery purposes.

A pillow on your sofa tomorrow, perhaps?

People are wondering if feedbag chic is tied to our faltering economy. No, it's really not. These materials were becoming popular before our stock market took its nosedive. But it does make for a better story: we're so poor now, we are being forced to use burlap to upholster our furniture. Sounds good - but it's just not true.

Vintage bags on vintage chairs

As does Elle Decor

Feedbag chic used in interiors is either beachy or dressy. Yes, it CAN be dressy. Antique French furniture is now sporting the lowly material on its gilt frames. The burlap craze is found both in the living room and the laundry room - there are no rules when using it. Whatever your application is -- curtains, pillows or sofas -- just don't go overboard with it. As fast as you can say "feedbag" - we're all going to be staring at it, wondering, "what we were thinking? Feedbags? Were we crazy?"

This summer Elle Decor magazine got on the feedbag bandwagon, big time. Here - a bench is loaded with several different types of feedbag pillows.

Elle Decor: Burlap curtains are dressed up with black grosgrain ribbons.

And, again Elle Decor - this living room is trend central with its grain bag hemp pillows, large peacock, railroad luggage cart, train station sign, black and white photographs, finials - wow! The only trends missing are zebra and coral.

And her designer colleagues and sources

Dan Marty has championed this trend in his new showroom in Los Angeles. Marty is now synonymous with the chic grain bag look. Here, faux vintage bags with foreign print are used on dining room chairs.

Hemp grain bag pillows and rail station clocks - another hot trend

Settee covered in vintage red gunny hemp - Dan Marty Design

German grain bags? I doubt it! But they are great looking, nonetheless.

Old or new? Hard to tell these days.

Definitely new - the art of lettering is a related trend

Feedbag framed to hang on the wall Vagabond Vintage sells these to use as runners or rugs.

Joni expounds

There are many different bags, totes, cushions and other shapes made out of burlap feedbags on the market now. When Target gets into the trend, sell!

This is how chairs used to look before they were upholstered - burlap is used to hold the horsehair cushioning in. Suddenly, this looks fresh! Picture from Shawn of Country French Antiques blog.

Again, is this finished or ready to sell? Hard to tell.
From Shawn, Country French Antiques

In the Tanglewood House, I used vintage grain bags I found on Ebay for pillows. But, the client also received pillows made out of the Ikat fabric to use when the trend has passed.

Over a decade ago, Houston interior designer Carol Glasser used burlap in a way that had never been seen before. Today, it's common place.

Aidan Gray is one of the hottest decor companies -
this chaise, half burlap, half linen is OUT OF STOCK. What a shock.

And concludes

How long is the burlap/grain bag trend going to last? No one can say for sure. But if you love it, go for it. Just remember to go small, and don't make a huge investment. This way you won't be out of a lot of money when you retire this to where your put your suzanis and faux deer head!!!

PRESIDENTIALLY YOURS: A NEW DESIGNER-IN-CHIEF FOR THE WHITE HOUSE

Today we gained a new President of the United States, First Lady, VP and Cabinet. We also gained a new White House interior designer, Michael S. Smith.

(Photo from Dominomag.com)

"I am delighted to work with the Obamas as they bring their own energy and style to the residence at the White House," Smith is quoted on his publisher's home page. Last April, he told Domino Magazine, "The family's casual style, their interest in featuring 20th Century American artists and utilizing affordable brands and products will serve as our guiding principles as we make the residence feel like their home."

Smith may be new to Washington and the American public, but he’s no stranger to the design world. The 44-year old Californian has been named to Architectural Digest’s prestigious AD 100 list of top designers twice, and named a Designer of the Year by Elle Décor. His projects have been published in those magazines and others, and in two coffee tables books by Rizzoli Publishing.

He’s got lines of fabrics, furniture, carpets, tile, bath fixtures and other products that could very well find their way into the Obama White House. He'll probably also be pulling items from some very familiar spots, too.

Click here for a Today Show video on the Obamas' decorating plans with Elle Decor editor Margaret Russell. She cites Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn, Wisteria and Anthropologie, some of my own favorite sources, as potential suppliers to the residence's rooms.

Here's a video from Domino Magazine featuring Michael Smith giving viewers a tour of his own Bel Air home. In it, he also shares his philosophies on designing that may very well carry into the White House. Here are some of my favorite Smith rooms from past projects:

I can see Sasha and Malia enjoying a bathroom like this one, with separate sinks for each girl and a large built-in to store all their goodies.

(Photo from Dominomag.com)

This bedroom looks incredibly soothing and relaxing. It could be the perfect spot for the presidential Grandmother after a day helping the girls with homework and life at the White House.

(Photo from Dominomag.com)

The slipcovers make this dining room a practical, as well as stylish, space for a family with young children.

(Photo from Dominomag.com)

What a perfect spot for enjoying a book or a game. I can definitely see the First Family relaxing in a room like this one!

(Photo from Elle Decor)

This tailored guest room would be an ideal spot to welcome Obama friends and family to the White House. It's opulent but comfortable at the same time. I'd love to check in!

(Photo from Architectural Digest)