Strangely enough, I decided to start my spring-cleaning early – in the midst of Carnival season, which has now come and gone. It was partially therapeutic: Mardi Gras time can get a little chaotic, trying to juggle parades, costume-making, entertaining guests, catching up with old friends, and oh yes, a career, so making sure I set aside some time to clean and reorganize gave me a little bit more of a sense of control, no matter how many different directions I was pulled in.
But really what spurred this revamping and getting rid of unnecessary items was learning about the Taravella home, our Renovation of the Year on pg. 38. This home is inspirationally elegant and clutter-free, almost spa-like, and the renovation was done with respect and integrity for the historic building. Looking at it encouraged me to be more minimalist and organized and I hope it helps you, too. At the very least, it’s gorgeous.
In this issue, we also present the annual Junior League Kitchen Tour, a showcase of some of the most stylish kitchens in the city that you can read about here and then visit in-person – all for a good cause, as the Junior League does a tremendous amount of work to make the community better.
We also have expanded our coverage of area homes, and two others featured within these pages are labors of love. The Mid-Century Modern rescue in Lakeshore, the home of Lisa Tudor and Michael Sichel; along with the Lymans’ Uptown home, a carefully thought-out renovation that stylishly suits the needs of their wheelchair-bound young son.
Trendwatch showcases some fabulous new lighting trends, and if you’re a chandelier lover, we have tips for you in Living With Antiques. For the Garden writer Pamela Marquis took a trip to Algiers to visit Sugar Roots Farms, which aims to educate children and adults about ethical farming and respecting where our food comes from. We also have many other gems tucked within these pages. We hope this issue enhances your spring!
Our Renovation of the Year is an expertly updated Creole cottage in the Irish Channel belonging to Aaron Taravella and Rachel Hall Taravella.
Photographed by Sara Essex Bradley
Custom Glasswares
Ben Dombey has been honing his skills for years by traveling and teaching the art of glassblowing all over the U.S and Europe, but his home and business are right here in New Orleans. These custom-made rocks glasses and tumblers are available in different sizes and make great gifts for the home. Available at glassblowerben.com.
