Hello dear friends. This post is a bit of a departure from the typical format that you may be used to.Saturday Smiles A Love For France celebrates the lives of bloggers Cote de Texas and the French Basketeer and their beautiful influence in the design world.
Saturday Smiles Joni and Andrea
You may have now heard that dear Joni Cohen Webb recently passed away unexpectedly. Joni and I had been friends for many, many years. She had begun her blog, Cote De Texas in 2007. I started DTA in 2008. We shared a love of France, traditional interiors and the British Royal Family. We both loved to talk at length about these favorites subjects. Joni’s posts were truly legendary! She would spend months researching topics before weaving the loveliest of words together. She has no equal and there will now be a tremendous gap in the design community.
Joni is survived by her husband, Ben, known to readers the world over as Mr. Slipper Sox. As well as her lovely daughter, Elizabeth, shown here with Joni. I must also make mention of Joni’s beloved Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Nellie, as she truly is a treasured member of the family too.
In an interesting twist of fate I had actually met Andrea Drexelius, aka the French Basketeer, through Cote de Texas. Joni had written a post about me when I wrote about my Ultimate DIY. Andrea read it and then reached out to offer me one of her lovely baskets. I decided to pick it up in person at the farmers market where she often shared these gems. We immediately clicked.
Metis Linens
Andrea and I both had a deep love for France and traveled often together sourcing antiques that we sold at the Rose Bowl flea market and other European vendor fairs. We collaborated on the blog, Metis Linens, as well as on quite a few events and magazine articles including Romantic Homes.
When I moved to Texas in 2014 Andrea soon closed the French Basketeer as well as the antique business to focus on caring for her aging parents. She would often host French Food Camp dinner parties at their glorious Laguna Beach home. I have so many happy memories of our time together and am deeply saddened that swift moving cancer took her far to soon.
For the rest of my life when I think of France it will probably be immediately followed by thoughts of Joni and Andrea. While this is perhaps bittersweet I shall choose to focus on the sweet as well as their lasting influence.
Carrot Tarte Tatin
I giggle when I think about Joni living on salads from Wendy’s. Andrea on the other hand was an amazing chef. French recipes, like this perfect fall delight, were her specialty.
Vert Olivier
This post is full of inspiration featuring the perfect French green so adored by both women.
A Fairytale Chateau In France
The gorgeous Chateau Montford is located in the south of France. It so reminds me of Joni who favored this same color palette.
A 17th Century Townhouse
Andrea and I traveled together to the beautiful Brittany Coast. Antoinette Poisson’s Breton home, with it’s casual elegance, was very much Andrea’s style.
Feel free to leave your thoughts and memories of these two amazing ladies in the comments.
They both will be greatly missed.
Laura
In Case You Missed It
Enchanted Halloween Forest Dollar Store Craft
I did not know either of these ladies, but they sound like lovely women.
Hi Laura – I’m sorry to hear about Andrea. Very sad news as well. And you’re so right – Joni was legendary !
I didn’t know of Joni’s passing and am so sad! I loved her blog Cote de Texas and will miss it very much. I wished I’d known about Andrea and the French Basketeer. I’m sure I would have loved it too since French design is my favorite. How lucky you were to have been friends with these inspiring women and to have all your beautiful memories.
Dear Laura, I am very sorry that you lost these two irreplaceable friends. What a loss. We as your readers can see how they were part of your of your inspiration and you in theirs. I am grateful that you spent a lot of time with them doing wonderful things and sharing all that you loved.
Wow, Laura, talk about a blow to the gut. While I didn’t know Andrea, I certainly followed Joni’s blog. She was an incredibly detailed, thorough, and researched blogger. I loved taking time to go through all the details and history she shared in her posts. I don’t know the circumstances of her death, but I certainly send my condolences to Elizabeth and Ben (Mr. Skuooer Sox, whose endearing nickname I loved). My sympathies to you as well, in the loss of the two of them as your friends. You have big shoes to fill to carry on Joni’s content of French and Royal history!
I didn’t know about Joni’s passing. I loved her blog! She was so detailed in everything she posted. She will definitely be missed! Condolences to husband and daughter. You were blessed to have her as a friend. I didn’t know Andrea. Prayers
Laura, this is a beautiful post to two amazing ladies. I am sorry for your loss. They were wonderful friends to you.
I did not know either in person but had shared many emails with both Joni and Andrea over the years.
Jonis posts were AMAZING! A lesson in history, decor and a passion for her research and craft.
Adrea was such a creative, talented and kinds lady. I loved reading the French Basketeer and seeing her set ups at the farmers markets. Then her meticulous planning for each and every dinner party. Beautiful gatherings of interesting peoples from around the globe. A modern day salon of sorts.
Her care for her parents was admirable and something not many could take on.
I also remember her house in Beaune where she would share snippets of her farmers market trips, the house and what she created.
Both gone too soon and a great loss to the blogging community and their family and friends as well.
Such a beautiful tribute to both talented ladies, Laura. You are right there will be a big gap in this community and one that cannot be easily filled. I’m so sorry for your loss and I’ll be keeping you and their families in my prayers. Big hugs, CoCo
Laura, one of Joni’s best friends, Lisa Federman, told me about your post. Lisa has been going through her own grieving process, and looking for posts about Joni is part of that process. I guess that I will forever be known as Mr. Slippersocks Man. And that’s ok. Joni was my best friend, my partner, and the love of my life. We were married for 35 years, and I still feel cheated. We thought we had more time, but there are no guarantees in life. I am grateful that Joni enjoyed one glorious year down here near the beach. I knew how talented Joni was, but I tried to be low key about it when talking to other folks. That’s how Joni was, actually quite shy, and very humble. She really didn’t like the “limelight”. As we got older, we became inseparable. Part of that was because of Joni’s health issues, the other part was simply because I adored her so much. I want to thank you and all the folks who have remembered her contributions to interior design blogging. Joni was truly one of a kind. For me now, it’s one day at a time. Best wishes always to all, Ben.