
Home is where the heart is, they say, but by the time summer rolls around, vacation usually draws the heart and mind elsewhere. That’s why it’s important to be home-focused in spring, whether spring cleaning and taking on that much-needed room remodel or planning that morale-boosting community or corporate event before everyone starts heading to the beach.
Home means a lot of things—from houses to communities—and that’s the focus of the following businesses and organizations. From interior designers and construction resources to those who strive to protect our unique ecosystems and waterways, there are a variety of professionals who can help you get your spring plans and activities in order. New wallpaper or paint may unleash the possibilities of your living room or home office, while a new front door may give your house the facelift it deserves. New educational opportunities and private event spaces round out the following home-centered service providers ready to take on your project.
Interior/Exterior Design & Antiques

Local designer and antiques dealer Tara Shaw is well regarded for her expertise in French and other European antiques—a supplier for a host of AD100 and Elle Decor A-listers, Shaw is also known for her own custom furniture line, Maison, licensed with Restoration Hardware. Shaw’s newest endeavor delivers her expertise to your home and coffee table through 272 pages of enchanting photographs, secrets, anecdotes, and tips. Through Soul of the Home, Shaw helps readers understand how to select the best antiques and use them in a variety of decor schemes.
Chapters present never-before-published spaces from Shaw’s portfolio and reveal her favorite antique-hunting spots throughout Europe. Anecdotes from years of treasure hunting are accompanied by images of rare and precious finds, with text that decodes just how to choose the right pieces, pair pieces from different periods, and display them in a contemporary interior. Available nationally and internationally this April from Abrams Books, Soul of the Home will also be available at Shaw’s new showroom located at 5833 Magazine St., which is filled with new arrivals of European, mid-century, and antique finds.
For more info, visit TaraShaw.com.

With a focus on “functional luxury,” St. Romain Interiors is a treasure trove of antiques, reproductions, and new contemporary to traditional furniture that Cindy St. Romain uses to create a timeless elegance. Located in Mandeville, St. Romain Interiors offers a convenient online store constantly updated with Cindy’s newest finds from Europe. Customers can view details and dimensions without leaving home.
When you do make the small jaunt across the lake, you’ll find small-town, boutique shopping with extremely competitive prices, unparalleled customer service, and one-stop shopping for your design needs. Appointments are available at any time or day of the week, and customers trust St. Romain to see every design project through to the end. In addition to furniture and lighting, hand-selected local and antique artwork is available for completing or complementing a room and can be incorporated in design projects with a skillful eye.
For customers looking for design services, Cindy St Romain offers 25+ years of experience working in a variety of styles on projects large and small. For more information and to see what’s currently available, visit StRomainInteriors.com.
Susan Currie Design specializes in interior design, everything from kitchen and bathroom renovations to designing personalized and effective business and home offices.
“A well-designed home office can help inspire you and make ‘going to work’ a joy instead of a chore,” says Susan Currie. Currie’s three “C’s”of home office design include color, cohesion, and cherish.
° Color can set the tone for your workspace.
° Cohesive looks are visually interesting while delivering a calming effect.
° Cherish your space by surrounding yourself with little luxuries that help you savor your time working from home. Inspiring art, a scented candle, or even a vase of fresh-cut flowers can lift the mood.
With a penchant for color, Susan adds an energetic flare to any space and offers clients a unique perspective on their own style.
“We take great care to listen and understand how a space will function for our clients,” says Susan. “With the help of our skilled craftsmen, we turn their vision into a reality.”
For more info or to schedule a consultation, visit SusanCurrieDesign.com or call 504-862-5800.
Exterior Designs, Inc., a comprehensive landscape design and build company, is known locally for helping homeowners increase the value of their homes with landscaping. Beverly Katz, owner/designer, creates New Orleans inspired landscapes by blending timeless Spanish and French influences of the city’s architecture with functional solutions for the modern homeowner. Exterior Designs has an exceptional ability to transform even the largest landscapes into intimate spaces perfect for entertaining and relaxing.
An interior designer before realizing her talent for landscape architecture, Beverly has a keen eye for detail combined with an affinity for problem solving, material selection and spatial composition. Because of her background, her creations are an extension of her clients’ homes. When Beverly visits a home for the initial consultation, she takes note of the client’s design aesthetic and allows it to flow into the outdoors.
Offering design, construction, installation and project management for residential or commercial landscapes, visit ExteriorDesignsBev.com for design inspiration or call 504-866-0276 for a consultation.
Doors & Millwork
“Finding the right product for the project” is the core focus of Renaissance Doors. Whether that is a custom $3,000 iron front door or an inexpensive baseboard for a rental unit, Renaissance Doors provides value for its clients with competitive pricing, excellent customer service, and on-time delivery. The company’s large showroom stocks various styles of interior and exterior doors, and first-time visitors are always surprised to see the extensive inventory of in-stock baseboards, crown moulding, and window trim.
Family owned and operated by Matthew Durish and wife Melissa, Renaissance Doors is a trusted, local resource for contractors and homeowners looking for quality millwork for their renovation or new construction project.
“I’m proud to work in a city that I love,” says Matthew.
Renaissance Doors invites you to stop by the showroom at 1000 Edwards Ave. in Harahan for a tour. For more information, visit RenaissanceDoorsLLC.com or call 504-344-6994.
Reglazing & Refinishing
With Southern Refinishing, you don’t get a contractor—you get a family. Southern Refinishing offers more than 40 years of experience in bathroom and kitchen reglazing projects for customers in the Gulf South. In addition to saving homeowners the cost of replacing their bathroom and kitchen fixtures, the company’s goal is to make every customer’s experience as comfortable and painless as possible. They know how stressful it can be to have a contractor disrupting your personal space, so the company works to minimize disruption throughout the remodeling process.
From tile walls, countertops, and sinks to fiberglass and acrylic tub repairs and tub/shower conversions to clawfoot tubs, Southern Refinishing has the equipment and expertise to work with any fixture. A local New Orleans company, Southern Refinishing is experienced with both small and large jobs, from residential homes to commercial projects such as hotels. Get a customized quote today by calling 504-348-1770. Visit SouthernRefinishing.com for a gallery of projects and additional information.
Community & Event Spaces
As a non-profit organization working to sustain one of the largest estuarine systems in the Gulf of Mexico, the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation (LPBF) also oversees one of Louisiana’s newest and greatest treasures, the New Canal Lighthouse Museum and Education Center. As Louisiana’s only working lighthouse, the New Canal Lighthouse offers the public an all-ages, hands-on lab with programming and displays that focus on the history of the lighthouse, the ecology of the Pontchartrain Basin and the critical coastal issues faced by South Louisiana.
Additionally, the New Canal Lighthouse offers the public an unparalleled private event space with gorgeous views of Lake Pontchartrain and enchanting coastal sunsets. Surrounded by water on three sides and located at the entrance of two sailboat harbors, the New Canal Lighthouse is beautifully positioned for unforgettable events, from birthdays, weddings, and corporate events to celebrations of life for those with maritime connections or a just a simple love of the lake.
The facility can accommodate 500+, depending on set up needs. For more information on rentals, call 504-282-2134. For more information on the museum and the LPBF, visit SaveOurLake.org.
Home Buying
After 30 years in real estate and finance and 24 years as Owner of America’s Mortgage Resource, Andrew Remson has held one principle above all: “Focus on the customer.” For Remson, nothing is more important than offering seasoned professionals who consistently put the customer first. Whether online, on the phone, or in person at any of America’s Mortgage Resource’s three local locations, customers are always matched with an expert who can handle their needs.
America’s Mortgage Resource offers one of the most diverse product lines in the region, from conventional, jumbo, construction and commercial lending to non-traditional products and more. The company is committed to helping you find the right mortgage product for your needs and provides the first step towards saving money on your home. With mobile applications and secure document handling, America’s Mortgage Resource is on the forefront of technology, and all licensed loan officers maintain a razor-sharp focus on service while staying in tune with the evolving market.
For more information on American’s Mortgage Resource and to find out which loan is right for you, visit amr-no.com.