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Sunday, September 18, 2016

my sister's house...



There are a good 15, or so, designers who have had a major influence on my design aesthetic, but none so much as my interior designer sister Patti.  Patti is the middle sister (not to be confused with my "much older sister Susan" :)  Patti is 11 years older than me and Susan is 12.  When I was 6 they were going off to college, so I basically grew up as an only child:)  After getting her teaching degree at the University of Texas at Austin Patti went to Houston to work.  She lived in the most adorable garage apartment in the Montrose area of Houston.  To this day I remember the first time I walked into that apartment (I was in middle school) and I was blown away!  It was the first time she had lived alone and the first time my family saw her incredible decorating talent. I went back to middle school and daydreamed about that apartment for months on end.  I wanted to live there!
After meeting and marrying my amazing/wonderful/hysterically-funny late brother-in-law, Bob, she moved to his hometown of Baton Rouge.  Bob was an architect and between the two of them they created a gorgeous home.  After college I would go visit Patti and Bob, and my nephews and niece, Jenny, and I would stay up every night into the wee hours in the morning sitting in and studying all her rooms like they were a textbook, trying to figure out how and what she did to make them so spectacular.  Everything went together, but nothing was matchy-matchy and that revelation alone changed my world, as it was in the early 80's when matchy-matchy was a b.a.d. common decorating theme.  Patti went on to get her second degree in Interior Design from L.S.U.  She was A.S.I.D. accredited and worked with my brother-in-law, Bob, at his architectural firm until his untimely death in December of 2004.

Last summer when we went to Louisiana to adopt Magnolia and Louise HERE  I took photos of the house she lives in now and wanted to share her gift of design with you.  Patti was the most important influence on who I am as a decorator, and I am grateful for the lessons she taught me through her gift. (I am especially grateful to both my sisters for teaching me that you marry your best friend!)


Welcome to my sister's house!
I really can't express how much I adore her new house and what she has done to it.  It is beautiful, comfortable, soothing and a cool respite in the Louisiana heat and humidity.
The 10-14 foot ceilings are a dream!





The entry.
Like Dan and me, Bob and Patti antiqued and collected together. Bob's antique walking canes/umbrellas collection.  They also collected original antique hand-colored lithographs by John Gould which Patti has hanging in the entry.




The dining room.
Antique chandelier and mirror.
Grouping of original John Gould birds.





Antique buffet filled with silver, Chinese export antiques and fishing floats (it's hereditary!)










The living room.
Love the wall color.  The plantation shutters are a dark wood stain.





Patti & Bob collected a wonderful art collection of contemporary and antique pieces.  I'm always trying to steal a painting, or two, when I visit.










The hallway leads to the master bedroom.  I adore the sconce with the artwork under it.










Again, it's hereditary... we all love birds!  Oh, and stone fruit.... and antique Chinese green oil candle holders;)





So gorgeous.
I came home from seeing her house and found a little brass topped table for the living room, and put a single antique Chinese blue and white dish on it, so you can see I'm still copying her!





Patti and Bob always loved architectural elements like we do.  You can see the iron pieces she added to the top of the doorway to the kitchen on the left.  Patti felt the entry to the formal dining room (on the right) was too large and over-scale and found the amazing antique wood doors from South America then had an iron craftsman work with her to incorporate them into the opening to give it a separation of space.





My grandmother and mother both collected antique Chinese porcelain, which influenced all of us sisters to collect it too.   Love this vignette.









Antique bookcase filled with antique Chinese porcelains.  Door leads to a hallway for the den, the guest bedroom and the guest bath.




The den is beautiful and so comfortable and cozy.












The kitchen.
Antique chandelier and English linen press filled with hotel silver and antique English Majolica.




I love how Patti displays her large art collection.  Quartz counter top and island.  Limestone floors.
Terracotta architectural fragment on the island.




Patti replaced new doors with antiques.  These gorgeous doors lead from the kitchen to the formal dining room, antique English hardware.





The master bedroom.
Again, note the use of antique doors.  Every door you can see is an antique replacement.




So warm and beautiful.












Patti also designed (and physically planted) every inch of the backyard!  It is a small space but big on charm and interest, so feels much bigger than it is.












Patti designed and had the pavilion built.




The shuttered structure is her garage.  I love this.  So much softer than a solid wall frame.




Love how she used reclaimed bricks as her border.




Sitting area.








Great arched double door that leads to the garage.




Patti designed and had the fountain built.




This is her sweet adopted dog "Fancy!"




I was soooo trying to steal this antique gate, or barter for it.  Obviously didn't pan out;)  Isn't it wonderful.









And my "patti pots" that now sit at the bottom of the steps at the front door of the farmhouse!
Thank you Patti! 
I love you.
 xxo




62 comments:

  1. Thanks for this, Joan. I loved it all, especially the outdoors. I see you both have a talent for landscape design as well. It's like your twins!

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    1. I learned the importance of landscape design and how it relates to a house from Patti & Bob too. When I would go visit after college they would put me to work with them doing whatever landscape project they were working on at the time:)

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  2. Lovely! Thank you for sharing your sister's home with us, and thanks to your sister for opening up her home to us. I see so much similarity in your styles! Love the antique doors throughout. The attention to detail that you and your sister pay to your homes is amazing, Joan. Everything is beautiful.
    Claudia

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  3. much older sister susanSeptember 18, 2016 at 8:20 PM

    Great pictures of Patti's home BUT her home looks even better in person!!!! Fancy looks just like our Ruby Nell. Thanks for telling everyone that I am 12 years older than you!! Love you anyway.

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  4. Thank you for sharing her beautiful home. I love all the addition of antique doors let alone the gorgeous antique furniture and beautiful art. An eye for beauty runs in the family!

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  5. Beautiful home, beautiful sisters!!!!

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  6. Okay, so there is loads of design savvy in your family. I see the talent you and your sister share - layering of elements in a room that helps to tell the story of the collected treasures. I absolutely love the slat wall garage and back lanai area. There is so much heart in every inch of this home, it speaks volumes.

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  7. I was so afraid that you'd end this with the house destroyed by the flood. Glad they escaped the deluge.

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    1. Oh gosh MrsB, wouldn't that have been awful :( No, thankfully, Patti, Jenny and Forest' house were all safe and dry.

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  8. My goodness, so wonderful - beautiful, elegant, but very comfortable. Thank you for sharing.

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  9. Patti's home is gorgeous! What a wonderful mentor- lucky you!

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  10. Beautiful! Belongs in a magazine.

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  11. What a beautiful home! OMGoodness, it is all exquisite. Love every detail. Saved this post to go back to again and again. Thanks to you and Patti for sharing this. I am so inspired.

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  12. So lovely. Such talent.
    Beth S.

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  13. Positively stunning!!! Love every inch of this gorgeous home!!! And Fancy is the cherry on top!!!

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  14. Amazing! Beautiful design runs in your family.

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  15. Replies
    1. Hmmmm... I wonder if you are referring to "Like Dan and me, Bob and Patti antiqued..."? 'Cuz Joan has written it correctly. Just sayin'.

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    2. I was thinking the same thing.... thank you Catherine!:)

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  16. I am overwhelmed with all the sweet comments about my home. To all of Joan's friends.... Thank You. Patti

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  17. Thank you for sharing this beautiful home. If you can give any paint colors it would be appreciated!

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    1. When I purchased this house the entry, living, and dining room were painted Sherwin Williams, "Sponge" SW1138. This color has been discontinued, but BM Yorkshire Tan HC23 is very close to it. My kitchen is painted BM Sandy Hook Gray, HC108 and study is BM Hampshire Gray HC101.

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  18. Beautiful! Especially Fancy! Talent runs in the family.

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  19. This was a pleasure to read. I can see the influence. xo Dianne

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  20. What a lovely visit and tour! Thank you for sharing this.....

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  21. Talented sister. Love the delightful house and all the detail.

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  22. So, so Beautiful! I can see she has some wonderful antiques and a classic style. I love that she also has an organic touch...it really keeps things fresh.

    Thanks so much for sharing, Joan!

    Jane

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  23. Hello Joan, A most inviting and interesting home. If Patti were my sister, when I visited I would take bubble wrap! It's easy to see the core values shared by your family.
    --Jim

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    1. Good thinking with the bubble wrap Jim!!!!

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    2. When I visit Joan, I'm taking bubble wrap And a truck!

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  24. ...what a beautiful love letter to your beloved sister...and what a beautiful home...blessings laney

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    1. Oh laney, you always are so spot on... that is exactly what I told Patti when I called to tell her to check my blog post, that it was my love letter to her!

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  25. What a beautiful home! I can see many similarities in your taste and style. Thanks for sharing!

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  26. That was just delightful! I knew we were in for a treat! Thank you for sharing Patti's house with us! : )

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  27. Patti's home is absolutely lovely... but I would expect nothing less! Thank you for sharing!

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  28. Lovely Joan. It's all in the family! Thank you and Patty for opening her home to all of us. We love the inspiration. And my condolences on the untimely loss of your brother-in-law. I know what it's like to lose someone at a young age. Thanks again, Joan.
    Bev

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  29. Thank you for sharing Patti's lovely home with us, Joan. Every detail is exquisite, though I would expect nothing less! I've saved the photo of Patti's louvered garage, it's exactly what I have envisioned for my own.

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  30. Love it. Beautiful home, I would feel very comfortable there. Lots of inspiration to be had.

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  31. The antique gate and fountain are genius!! franki

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  32. What a lovely home your sister has created. It's clear that your family is a talented group of designers. So many pretty details, just like I find in your home. Thank you for sharing...as a fellow home design enthusiast, I always enjoy seeing beautiful homes. :-)
    xo,
    Karen
    Karen

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  33. Awesome! The home is absolutely lovely! I love the virtual tour through such a lovely home! It brightens up my Monday afternoon! I love the antique gate in the back! (As well as her adopted puppy!!)

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  34. much older sister susanSeptember 19, 2016 at 3:42 PM

    Do you have pictures of their house they designed and built before this one? You should share those too.

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  35. This is my first time visiting your blog. Your sister's home is so lovely in a grand way. It reminds me of the homes that are featured in Victoria magazine. The backyard is beautiful. My husband and I are go it yourself gardeners too and designed, planted, bulit trellis, etc from a plot of hard pan clay dirt. So I truly appreciate all the hard work your sister has put into her garden oasis.

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  36. What a beautiful and well thought-out home! I see where you get your inspiration from! Thanks for sharing, Joan. -Miranda

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  37. What a fabulous tribute to your sister and her home! What took you so long? :) I especially love the way she disguised and lightened the mass of her garage! And those wonderful doors!

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  38. Joan i LOVED this!!!!!!!! So, were you a "mistake?" haha. remember people used to say that? My mistake baby. My oops baby. Where did your sister live in Montrose, do you remember????? omg - I loved this SOOOOOOOOO much! My favorite is the entry to the dining room - that is GORGEOUS!! And I love the doors everywhere. And her shuttered garage!!! I'm looking to downsize one day soon???? and this gave me some ideas. she has plenty of room and it's gorgeous, but it's got a small yard. actually bigger than mine now. lots to think about. loved this!!!!

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    1. ha! Yes, I as definitely a "surprise" baby as I remember being called :) My mother had me when she was 32 and she thought she was sooooo old:)
      Patti- where in Montrose???

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    2. It was a garage apartment on Yupon Street right off of W. Alabama. It was like living in a tree house. I wonder if it is still there. I don't know the exact address.

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  39. Just beautiful!

    May I ask what is the plant in the reclaimed brick border photo? I love the shape of the leaves.

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    1. It is a Philodendron Xanadu. It likes indirect light and in the deep south will come back after a freeze. I just read online that it can be a house plant. I love the leaves also. I cut them to use in a vase in my kitchen.

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  40. Oh my gosh. So beautiful. I've always thought that of any houses I've ever looked at that if I could pick my favorite it would be yours. Now I have two favorites. I've looked and looked at the rooms. You are both so talented. I also was a "surprise" baby. My siblings are 16, 18, 20 and 22 years older than me. I loved this post. Best Regards, Wenda

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  41. I can't believe so many people have looked at my home and took the trouble to leave such lovely comments! I'm overwhelmed!!! Thank you all!

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  42. What a welcoming and beautiful home! I love the furnishings and all the personal touches. I'm happy you included a picture of her sweet pup!!
    Thanks for letting us in for a visit Patti. It was fun :-)
    Jeannette

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Welcome! Thank you for leaving a comment; you have no idea how much your comments inspire me to keep writing- I appreciate each and every one. Comments are moderated by me prior to publishing on the blog, so if you don't see your comment post immediately it will be posted as soon as I receive and read it. joan